[September 11, 2020] Every time I read an article or watch television about the Islamic terrorists’ attacks on September 11, 2001, it makes me angry. I very rarely get mad about anything, but the attacks this day were the single largest terror attack by far on any country.1 Today is the 19th anniversary of these attacks on 9/11, and the event will be used as part of our current presidential political campaign.
At some point later today, both U.S. President Donald Trump and his Democrat rival Joe Biden will pay their respects at Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the Flight 93 National Memorial is located. I predict that much of what they say will be part of their election campaign. What they will not do is give us what strategy they would use to prevent a future 9/11.
But, more importantly, this is a time to pause to reflect, remember, and never forget the events of this day, nineteen years ago. In New York City, at the Pentagon, and at Shanksville, PA, where the attacks took place, we stand to honor the heroic deeds of many that day: firefighters, police, our military, and those aboard those four doomed flights, and innocents at the crash sites.
On this most solemn of days, our hearts are also with the families of those who lost relatives that day. We should be gathering as one American family, united by patriotism, bound by destiny, and sustained by faith. Today we should pay a debt of honor. This was the day that ordinary people rose up to fight unspeakable evil, and they did so with American strength.
America was attacked that day. Some deny Islamic terrorists were involved. Others in academia say that the attacks were America’s fault, that we deserved it, that the “chickens have come home to roost.” Naysayers will always infect America, but they will never determine what we all believe deeply; that America is a good nation and has always stood for good in the world.
America will always stand for good.2 Today, I will attend several 9/11 remembrance ceremonies. Those who attend will do so on a cloudy, windy day with me here in southern New Jersey. Rain is predicted, but that will not stop those I know from being there. For those who show their respect to the men and women who died that day, lost relatives, or were injured, you have my respect, and I offer a humble thank you.
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Yesterday was a good day and I’m glad I took off work for the ceremony I attended. Very solemn event. Great Americans attended.
Gen. Satterfield, I attended my local town’s 9/11 ceremony to commemorate those lost on 9/11 but also to celebrate what America did starting 9/12 to take the fight to Islamic terrorists. Message to Islam … don’t piss of America or we will kick your ass. Oh, but of course you don’t care if others are killed, you only care about yourself.
Oh, Linus Man, tell us what you think. I admit I agree with you but I’d have said it nicer.
SEAL Team 6 eventually put an end to bin Laden by killing him (as he cowed in the corner of his hideout), as years of US and allied military and intelligence work reduced the terror group to a shadow of its former self.
At the end, they are all cowards.
But their mothers are still proud of them because they kill innocents in the name of Islam. They run and hide. They are surely cowards. Not like the proud ancient mothers of Greece who told their sons to return home from war as a hero or on their shield.
Never, ever, forget 9/11. I have relatives that are firefighters and if anyone needs to remember, it is the firefighters. Remember those who went into the twin towers in NYC. They were there to rescue. They died. But they saved our souls.
I’m proud of my brother who decided to join the firefighters of Chicago. He is my hero. Cheers!
Good to hear your brother lives in Chicago but you live in Austrailia? Cheers, my friend.
Well written remembrance article, Gen. Satterfield. We need, however, to do more than remember…. the memory of that even must also influence us forever in what we say and do.
Thank you Gen. Satterfield. I hope you appreciate the effort of those who organize and conduct these remembrance ceremonies today.
I sure do and will be at one of them that starts at 9am (here on the East Coast). Thanks all. Enjoy today and REMEMBER!
If we have to be clear-headed and watch out for other events like this, then look to Iran (shia) as opposed to Saudi Arabia (sunni and where the 911 terrorists came from). China remains the worlds biggest threat but Islam will remain forever unless we treat it appropriately as an evil ideology like communism.
Indeed, a very special day. I too will be going to 911 remembrance ceremonies.
As we all should. If you cannot be there, at least watch it on tv or listen on the radio. But remember so much of the media is hard-left Marxists that they will throw in a lot of lies to distort what happened that day and America’s response.
Great article again for today, General Satterfield. Thank you! ?
In my little time here on Earth, I have found that we will be tested thru tragedy and more often than not, we will not see it coming. Like 9/11 or from the past, Pearl Harbor attack, it was an event we did not see coming our way. But by uniting we can overcome any barrier. Terrorism is still here because some people benefit AND because we are not serious about defeating it.
Yes, we should remember. I would likely not be in the US Army if not for the 9/11 attacks. I’ve served in the Middle East now for four combat tours. The ordinary people who worship the Islamic faith are the ones who most suffer.
… and thank you for your service. I wish I was young enough to join.
It’s been a long time: Nearly a quarter of Americans living today hadn’t been born yet. Yet the nation should still unite, for this day at least, in memory — and in resolve to ensure the horror never repeats.
There are few times in our lives that will surely test our resolve, our intelligence, and our ability to come together for a moral cause. Islam taught us that it is a party of evil and should be destroyed. It is even worse than Communism which has seen 100 million killed in its name. Just mark my words,more will die as Islamic fanatics. Even Muslims know this.
A rather brutal analysis of a religion. I will only write that Islam’s problems must be addressed within Islam. Those who use it as a pretext for power, should be identified and removed.
I agree, mostly with you Max but maybe you went a little to far in painting all of Islam with such a broad violent stroke. I have more confidence that there will be religious people who can mature the religion into a force of good around the world.
Thanks Harry and Max. Good discussion. BUt it’s Islam that should be debating this issue not us.
Remember!