Today marks the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001

Today marks the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.  It remains the worst attack on the American homeland since Pearl Harbor, forever changing our country and the lives of our people. Nearly a whole generation of Americans has been born since the attacks. They have no memory of what happened that morning. Even for those who do remember, the many challenges of the current year make it easy to gloss over this anniversary. But we cannot forget or ignore what happened that day — and what has happened every day since. The story of September 11th is one of heroism arising from tragedy. Some 2,977 people were murdered in the attacks, spread across New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In the days that followed, Americans from all walks of life enlisted in the Armed Forces. Those who were too young to enlist then waited until they came of age.  Many of these heroes have fallen, sacrificing their lives to protect America from another September 11th. They have the gratitude of every American. So do the heroes who served and came home. Most have returned to daily life, raising families, taking jobs, and quietly building up our country. Others are now serving in a different way, in the halls of government.  Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) helped plan the initial air campaign over Afghanistan and oversaw combat search and rescue operations there and in Iraq. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) served as a Navy Seal, deploying five times and suffering the loss of an eye after an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) resigned his job to enlist in 2003 and was deployed to Iraq twice. The list of veterans in Congress, both Republican and Democrat, goes on. All those who stood up and stepped forward to take the fight to the terrorists have our thanks, including those who are in the field right now. Their service is as vital as it was in the days after September 11th.  Terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda still exist and seek to kill Americans and inspire lone wolf attacks. Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism, is threatening America, too. We honor those who fell on September 11th, and those who have fallen since, by remembering their sacrifice and remaining vigilant and resolved.  Resolve this day, to not let the evil in this country cloud your vision and that of others of the exceptionalism that made this country and was felt and visible on that horrific day! God Bless