Message from Kay C. James, President of the Heritage Foundation

Today is 9/11, also known as Patriot Day. Amid all of the challenges that we are facing as a nation right now, I believe today is an opportunity for us to pause and gather in solemn remembrance of a day of dark tragedy and even brighter heroism in our shared history.

We are praying for our brave men and women in our military who continue the fight against terrorism as well as our first responders – our law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs – who continue to protect us here at home.

For your information, it was 8:46 a.m. when hijackers steered American Airlines Flight 11 into 1 World Trade Center; 9:03 a.m. when they crashed United Flight 175 into 2 World Trade Center; 9:37 a.m. when the terrorists steered American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon; and 10:03 a.m. when, after learning of the other attacks, the passengers on United Flight 93 saved countless lives by launching a counterattack against the hijackers, resulting in the plane crashing into an empty field near Shanksville, Pa.

Most of us are old enough to remember the heart-wrenching acts of personal sacrifice that dominated the news on the day of the attacks and for several weeks afterward – firefighters rushing in to the soon to collapse buildings to rescue those trapped within; first responders digging through the rubble to find survivors; and Americans of every walk of life banding together in cities across the nation to lend one another their strength, their comfort, and their brotherhood.

When enemies sought to sow division and fear, America responded with strength and unity. May we cultivate that same strength and unity in America today, despite all who seek to divide us. May we do it not only for ourselves and our children, but also in remembrance of all those that lost their lives and the loved ones they left behind.

All the best,

Kay C. James
President of The Heritage Foundation