September 11th and American Ideals

In August of 2001, I was a Marine Second Lieutenant stationed in Quantico, Virginia—just south of Washington, D.C. I had recently volunteered to serve as the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Reaction Force Commander. At the time, that role meant organizing volunteers to fill sandbags during heavy storms to protect building infrastructure from flooding.

That all changed on the morning of September 11th.

I was called out of a meeting to activate my Reaction Force as the attacks unfolded in New York and Washington. Our mission shifted instantly—from routine storm prep to securing the base against potential terror threats. My Marines and I stepped up to do our duty, and by God’s grace, we all made it home safely.

Not everyone did.

On September 11th, 2001, 2,977 people lost their lives in the terror attacks. Of those, 2,634 were innocent civilians going about their day. Many more could have died if not for the courage of those who ran toward the disaster for the sake of their fellow Americans.

Today, we remember and honor the 343 firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel who answered the call and paid the ultimate price—right here on American soil.

We honor those who ran toward chaos and never returned. And we recognize those who continue to step forward today, answering the call to serve and protect in our communities.

Sir Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing.”

So today, we honor their sacrifice. But when we leave here, we carry a choice: to live our lives in a way that honors their courage, their service, and their memory.

This year, September 11th carries a new weight. Just yesterday, a man was struck down for simply speaking—inviting debate and living out the essence of free speech that is foundational to our nation. Whether you agreed with Charlie Kirk or not, his assassination was an attack on the core values of America.

Free speech is not a luxury—it is a sacred right. Responding to words with violence is the most un-American act I can imagine. When we say someone served, fought, or died for this country, we must remember that free speech is at the heart of what they sacrificed for.

Today, our stair climbs honor the emergency responders who ran into danger and gave their lives for their fellow citizens. Americans—people who believe in freedom of political expression.

While 2,977 people died on September 11th because of violence against our nation’s politics and ideals, 330 million Americans rose up to fight terrorism alongside our allies around the world. We were not cowed into fearful oppression.

On September 12th, 2001, we saw the greatest day of unity I can recall in my lifetime. Today can be the same.

September 11th reminds us of the tragedy of violence and the fear it can cause. September 12th showed us how to respond—with courage, conviction, and clarity about who we are as a people.

Let this day be a reminder not only of what we lost, but of how we must live. With unity. With purpose. With a commitment to our American values—including free speech, civil debate, and the rejection of hatred and political violence.

Today is the day 350 million Americans decide how we will respond.