On the morning of September 11, 2001, everyone bent over to put on their shoes. It was a simple task, but it was required to enter office buildings, airplanes, or workplaces, the same as today. Now imagine, as you bent over to put on your shoes this morning, hearing a voice asking, “Will you die for her?”
I imagine our first response would be, “Die for who?” You might say yes if it is your mother, daughter, wife, or sister. But what if the answer was, “Your Country?”
Will you die for her?
Not only die but suffer unimaginable horror and indescribable pain – Today.
When civilians tell service members and veterans thank you for your service, we do this because they said yes.
But on this day in September 23 years ago, 2977 people were not given the choice, but they did die for her; they died for their country.
Those who died may not all have been American, but they all died because of where they lived or worked and as representatives of American ideals. They were tortured and murdered because they represented America. And in that knowing, we all suffered as the day’s events went on and on with one tragedy after another. We bound together as Americans and loved each other, even if just for a while.
I ask you to look upon that field where each placard we’ve placed represents a human life. An American who, without choice or option, died for our country, for all of us, and what we believe in.
But sadly, the American sacrifice doesn’t end with those 2977 souls.
Operation Enduring Freedom: 1,847 Hostile Deaths and 20,149 Wounded in Action
Operation New Dawn: 38 Hostile Deaths and 298 Wounded in Action
Operation Iraqi Freedom: 3,490 Hostile Deaths and 31,994 Wounded in Action
Cancer and other Diseases from Exposure: 4,343+ survivors and first responders have died from carcinogens from building materials, gases, and jet fuel-laced air.
Two decades of consecutive loss of 6000 or more veterans to suicide every single year – more than 131,000 suicides.
That is nearly 145,000 people, or nearly 50 of those fields.
So today, on Patriot Day, we honor and remember all who have died due to that day, and we honor the sacrifices of their families and friends. And we pray for the strength, wisdom, and determination of all of those who stand up to protect us from another tragedy like this one.