THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This is a day of remembrance for our
country. And I am honored to be joined at the White House today by
Americans who lost so much in the terrible events of September the
11th, 2001, and have felt that loss every day since.
Three years ago, the struggle of good against evil was compressed
into a single morning. In the space of only 102 minutes, our country
lost more citizens than were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Time
has passed, but the memories do not fade. We remember the images of
fire, and the final calls of love, and the courage of rescuers who saw
death and did not flee.
We remember the cruelty of enemies who murdered the innocent, and
rejoiced in our suffering. We remember the many good lives that ended
too soon -- which no one had the right to take.
And our nation remembers the families left behind to carry a burden
of sorrow. They have shown courage of their own. And with the help of
God's grace, and with support from one another, the families of terror
victims have shown a strength that survives all hurt. Each of them
remains in the thoughts and prayers of the American people.
The terrorist attacks on September the 11th were a turning point
for our nation. We saw the goals of a determined enemy: to expand the
scale of their murder, and force America to retreat from the world.
And our nation accepted a mission: We will defeat this enemy.
The United States of America is determined to guard our homeland
against future attacks. As the September the 11th Commission
concluded, our country is safer than we were three years ago, but we
are not yet safe.
So every day, many thousands of dedicated men and women are on duty
-- as air marshals, airport screeners, cargo inspectors, border patrol
officers, and first responders. At the same time, Americans serving in
the FBI and CIA are performing their daily work with professionalism,
while we reform those agencies to see the dangers around the next
corner. Our country is grateful to all our fellow citizens who watch
for the enemy, and answer the alarms, and guard America by their
vigilance.
The United States is determined to stay on the offensive, and to
pursue the terrorists wherever they train, or sleep, or attempt to set
down roots. We have conducted this campaign from the mountains of
Afghanistan, to the heart of the Middle East, to the horn of Africa, to
the islands of the Philippines, to hidden cells within our own
country.
More than three-quarters of al Qaeda's key members and associates
have been detained or killed. We know that there is still a danger to
America. So we will not relent until the terrorists who plot murder
against our people are found and dealt with.
The United States is also determined to advance democracy in the
broader Middle East, because freedom will bring the peace and security
we all want. When the peoples of that region are given new hope and
lives of dignity, they will let go of old hatreds and resentments, and
the terrorists will find fewer recruits. And as governments of that
region join in the fight against terror instead of harboring
terrorists, America and the world will be more secure. Our present
work in Iraq and Afghanistan is difficult. It is also historic and
essential. By our commitment and sacrifice today, we will help
transform the Middle East, and increase the safety of our children and
grandchildren.
Since September the 11th, the sacrifices in the war on terror have
fallen most heavily on members of our military, and their families.
Our nation is grateful to the brave men and women who are taking risks
on our behalf at this hour.
And America will never forget the ones who have fallen -- men and
women last seen doing their duty, whose names we will honor forever.
The war on terror goes on. The resolve of our nation is still
being tested. And in the face of danger we are showing our character.
Three years after the attack on our country, Americans remain strong
and resolute, patient in a just cause, and confident of the victory to
come.