September 11th: Then and Now

SEPTEMBER 11TH: THEN AND NOW
Guest opinion submitted by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo

September 11, 2003 - On this day, many thoughts will turn to the memories of our countrymen and women who lost their lives in the events on September 11th, 2001. Of course, those events need no introduction; we can easily recall the images of billowing smoke against the blue sky, of terrified people running from cascading debris, of heroic actions from emergency personnel and others. It was a day that forever changed a nation, that affected the direction of the world. It was a day in which America lost some of its finest, including two of Idaho's own. As we approach the two-year anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th, we will no doubt all pause to reflect on those who lost their lives, the effects of the terrible events on our nation, and the long road that lies ahead of us.

The attacks of September 11th were cowardly and unjustified. But on that day, there were hundreds, probably thousands of courageous acts by Americans. And then we witnessed our nation pulling together in a strong and dignified manner. We came together like no other period in recent memory. Each of us realized the importance of friends, family, country, and our American way of life, and many acted on that renewed sense of community.

Since that fateful day, we have done our utmost as a nation to protect this way of life. The Department of Homeland Security was created to prevent, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism. We acted boldly to eradicate terrorist enclaves in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. We have frozen terrorist assets worldwide. We continue to lead a worldwide coalition to hunt down and root out terrorists wherever they hide, and to eliminate this evil threat from the world.

Though tremendous strides against terrorism have been made, the fight is not over. We cannot be complacent and we can't let up. Al Quaeda, Osama bin Laden, and other terrorist groups have not been beaten yet, and in fact, recent media reports indicate they are still actively planning attacks against the U.S. Finding and destroying terrorist organizations will be slow, but tremendously important. It will require an ongoing commitment on the part of all Americans, a resolve to always remember the terrible events of September 11th, and to never give up on this vital struggle. I am convinced that all of these efforts will continue to demonstrate the strong resolve and commitment of the American people.

Many people have asked how best to memorialize the sacrifices that have been made in relation to September 11th. That's a tough question to answer. Certainly there will be remembrance ceremonies, and we in Idaho will certainly pause to remember our native sons who died on September 11th and those who have perished during the military actions in the Middle East. But perhaps the best way to give meaning to the anniversary is to recall the sense of unity felt by many in the days immediately following the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. So what can we do to honor not only the memory of those who died, but also their surviving family and friends as well as those who are serving our country in military efforts. We can recommit ourselves to our community, find some avenue to volunteer, contribute to a worthwhile cause with either time or money. One of the strongest messages to come out of the events from September 11th is the resiliency of the American people, and that alone is a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives two years ago.