September 11, 2001

Washington, D.C., Sep 11, 2008 -

Seven years ago this week I sat in my Tallahassee office feeling scared, angry and sad.  Those were some of the first emotions that went through my mind after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Like most Americans that day I was struck by the utter hatred toward America that consumed the men flying the planes that crashed into our revered national landmarks.  What kind of person is filled with so much hate that they would kill themselves and thousands of innocent people at the same time?  Even today I still struggle to comprehend what drives these people to commit mass murder and try to destroy the political and religious freedoms that millions enjoy around the world.

Since 9/11 the attacks on America and her allies by extremist Islamic jihadists have continued.  While you and I don’t believe that mass murder achieves anything, there are thousands of young Islamic terrorists who believe in jihad and the reestablishment of the Muslim caliphate.  Thankfully, due to the vigilance of our troops abroad and the changes to our nation’s security back home, America has been spared further devastation.

Other nations have not been so lucky.  British subway commuters were attacked by bomb wielding terrorists.  Spanish trains were bombed by radical Islamic terrorists, killing dozens.  A nightclub in Bali was attacked, killing several hundred.  Muslim extremists attacked a school in Russia, murdering more than three hundred, many of them little children.  The list goes on and on, in virtually every region of the world.

The fact is that the United States is engaged in a battle with an enemy that is difficult to track and hard to defeat.  Unlike World War II or Korea, where we knew what country we were fighting and could identify the enemy by the color of their uniforms, today’s battles are a fundamentally different challenge.

It is no longer the nation state declaring war on the United States that we must fear.  Instead it is the lone fundamental terrorist with the tools, weapons and willpower to sacrifice his life so that Americans will be killed.  All it takes is one dirty nuclear suitcase bomb to destroy an American city like Orlando or Tampa. 

That is why it is so important to remember what happened on that fateful September morning seven years ago.  The deaths of three thousand Americans should never be forgotten.  As the years pass, however, some have gotten complacent about our nation’s security and the threat of Islamic terrorists. 

Sadly, we must remain ever vigilant, because there are new threats to the United States and her allies unearthed every day.  There is no doubt about it, Al-Qaeda and other like minded terrorist organizations are still plotting to kill Americans and destroy our freedoms and liberties.

September 11, 2001 is a solemn day in our collective memories.  While it is a time for remembrance and prayer, it should also remind Americans of the challenges we face to protect our democratic rights and freedoms.  With thousands of American soldiers stationed around the world, this anniversary is a perfect time to say a prayer for their safety and to thank them for defending the memories of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  I hope that you take this opportunity to remember the victims of 9/11 and never forget the sacrifices of those who fight for our freedoms.