Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe it’s been 24 years.

September 11, 2001.

It is etched into the memory of every American who lived through it. On that clear Tuesday morning, our nation was shaken by the tragic loss of nearly 3,000 innocent lives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends and colleagues, taken from us far too soon.

I was a young mother at the time. It’s amazing how much has changed. 

But as we look back, we grieve alongside the families who still feel the weight of that loss every day. We remember not only those who perished in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, but also the countless others whose lives were forever changed: survivors, first responders, and loved ones who carry the memory of that day in their hearts.

In the face of such evil, Americans revealed their strength and compassion. We remember the firefighters who ran into the towers when others were fleeing, the police officers and paramedics who risked everything to save lives, and the ordinary citizens who became extraordinary heroes aboard Flight 93. Their courage reminds us that even in our darkest hour, light can shine through.

We also honor the men and women of our armed forces who answered the call in the days, months, and years that followed. So many rushed to join the military after that day. They stood guard against further attacks, defended our freedoms overseas, and too often made the ultimate sacrifice. To our veterans and military families, we offer our deepest gratitude. Your service is a living legacy of 9/11, a reminder that the defense of liberty requires vigilance, courage, and sacrifice.

But this day is not only about remembering tragedy. It is about recalling the unity we felt in its aftermath. For a brief moment, differences of race, politics, or background melted away, and we stood together as one people. American flags hung from porches and skyscrapers alike. Neighbors looked out for one another. We knew instinctively that what binds us together is stronger than what divides us.

That spirit of unity is worth recapturing. In a time when our nation often feels divided, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals that make America great: liberty, opportunity, resilience, and compassion. Let us live in a way that honors those we lost, by serving our communities, caring for our neighbors, and working to build a nation worthy of their memory.

As we commemorate this solemn anniversary, may we never forget the lives lost, the heroes who rose, and the strength we discovered within ourselves as a people. September 11th will always be a day of mourning, but it is also a day of reflection on the greatness of America: a nation that, no matter the challenge, endures, rebuilds, and shines as a beacon of freedom to the world.

May God bless the families of the fallen, our veterans and service members, and may God bless the United States of America.

Please check out previous stories here.