25 Years After 9/11, the Mission to Secure Our Homeland Endures
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Twenty-five years ago, our nation suffered from the deadliest terrorist attack in history. Terrorists took the lives of 2,977 innocent Americans in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, forever changing the course of our country. This tragedy remains etched in our national memory.
In the aftermath of 9/11, the extraordinary strength and resolve of the American people emerged. As we reflect upon the devastation inflicted that day, we honor the lives of those we lost, the selflessness of those who responded in our nation’s darkest hours, and the resilience of countless Americans still living with the impacts of 9/11.
Members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) are among the distinguished military veterans who served in the post-9/11 era. While the threat landscape has evolved over the past 25 years, their commitment to defending America has not. They continue that mission in the halls of Congress today, fighting to protect our homeland, confront emerging threats, and ensure the lessons from 9/11 are never forgotten.
RSC veterans reflect on this solemn 25th anniversary and the future they are fighting for:
“Twenty-five years ago, our nation watched in horror as nearly 3,000 innocent lives were taken in an act of unimaginable evil. Today, we remember the American souls who were lost and that their absence is still felt by their families across our country. We also honor the firefighters, police officers, and service members who ran toward danger and have since answered the call to defend our freedom. A quarter-century later, we have not forgotten, and we never will. But remembrance alone is not enough. The threats we face today look different than they did in 2001, and we owe it to the victims of that day to stay just as vigilant in meeting the threats of tomorrow,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).
“As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the House Intelligence Committee paid respects at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, presented a wreath at the Pentagon memorial, and held the Committee’s first ever field hearing with Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA. Out of unimaginable tragedy, we learned invaluable lessons and forged an unbreakable unity. The American spirit isn't defined by what breaks us, but by how we rise together — stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever. We hope all Americans will join us this week to honor the lives lost and the courage that defines who we are,” said Rep. Rick Crawford (AK-01), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
“Twenty-five years ago, terrorists attacked our country believing they could break the American spirit. Instead, one of our darkest days brought out the very best of America. Off-duty first responders ran toward danger, passengers aboard Flight 93 sacrificed themselves to save countless others, and ordinary Americans stepped up to help their neighbors in the face of tragedy. That same spirit carried on long after September 11th, inspiring a generation to raise their hands and serve our country. Today, we honor the 2,977 lives taken from us, the heroes who answered the call, and every American who has defended our freedom since. We will never forget,” said RSC’s National Security Task Force Chair Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-03).
“Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, we remember that harrowing day and the heroic actions of thousands of brave Americans who stepped up in the aftermath to help their fellow countrymen. We remember the innocent lives taken, the families forever changed, and the police officers, firefighters, and first responders who ran toward danger to save others. The perpetrators inflicted unimaginable pain on our nation, but they failed to defeat the American spirit — proving that no act of terrorism can steal our resolve, our resilience, and our love for this country. We must never forget those we lost as we strive to honor the courage that carried our nation through one of its darkest days,” said Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10).
“Twenty-five years later, we still remember all those we lost on that September day. We also remember the America who came together. We remember the firefighters, police officers, and first responders who worked around the clock at Ground Zero. Volunteers arrived from across the country to help. Americans donated blood, supplies, and money, and communities opened their doors to those in need. The recovery was painful and difficult, but it showed the strength of the American people. In the face of unimaginable loss, Americans chose to serve, sacrifice, and stand together. We will never forget,” said Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07).
“25 years after the tragic day of September 11, 2001, we remember the nearly 3,000 Americans we lost, the heroes who ran toward danger, and the generations of servicemembers who answered the call to defend our nation. That day changed America forever. We must never forget the lessons of 9/11 or allow complacency to put our country at risk. Our intelligence community and military must have the tools, resources, and resolve to stay ahead of those who seek to harm Americans. We honor those we lost by doing everything in our power to keep America safe, strong, and free,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13).
“Twenty-five years ago, our nation was changed forever. Amid unimaginable heartache and loss, Americans came together, mourned together, and grew stronger together. I am proud of the brave men and women who ran toward danger and those who put on our nation’s uniform to defend our country. As we mark this important anniversary, I hope we take a moment to remember and pray for the victims, their families, and all those who continue to feel the effects of that terrible day. May God continue to bless them and our great nation,” said Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03).
“September 11 changed the course of my life and became my call to serve. I went on to serve eight years in the Air Force and Air National Guard, including two deployments to Afghanistan with a Combat Search and Rescue squadron. Twenty-five years later, I still carry the memory of the 2,977 Americans we lost and the courage our country showed in the days that followed. We must never forget their sacrifice or the responsibility we have to keep America safe,” said Rep. Troy Downing (MT-02).
“September 11th shaped the lives of an entire generation. I remember watching our country come under attack, then watching Americans leave their families to go fight for it, and eventually I followed them. Years later, I found myself in Afghanistan serving alongside some of the best people I’ve ever known. Twenty-five years later, I think about the 2,977 people who never came home that day, the families who still carry that loss, and all the Americans who stepped forward afterward. ‘Never Forget’ means making sure their courage and sacrifice are never reduced to another chapter in a history book,” said Rep. Pat Harrigan (NC-10).
“25 years ago, the world watched as incredible men and women sacrificed their lives to save neighbors and strangers. Evil tried to destroy us, but we came together to grieve, rebuild, and fight back. The events of September 11 should be a wakeup call for all Americans. If you see something, say something, do something. Over two decades later, we recommit our promise to keep that same evil out of our country, and remember the bravery of the heroes we lost on September 11, 2001,” said Rep. John McGuire (VA-05).
“Twenty-five years ago, our nation suffered the deadliest terrorist attack in American history. Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were taken, families were changed forever and a new generation of Americans stepped forward to serve. I was among those recalled to active duty in the Middle East after 9/11, and will never forget what followed here at home. Americans put aside differences, took care of neighbors and stood together as one nation. A quarter-century later, we honor those we lost, those who ran toward danger and those who answered the call to defend our country. The courage and the unity our nation showed in the face of evil must never be forgotten,” said Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18).
“On this 25th anniversary of 9/11, we remember the nearly 3,000 Americans murdered in cold blood by Islamic terrorists. September 11th, 2001, marked a loss of innocence for America. It reminded us that there is indeed evil in this world that wants to do us harm. And while it tested our nation, it did not break us. America grew stronger and more determined. Today, we honor the innocent lives taken that morning. We also thank the heroes who stepped forward, whether amid the wreckage at Ground Zero or the Pentagon, or in uniform abroad in the years that followed. We must never allow this tragedy to fade from our national consciousness,” said Rep. Pat Fallon (TX-04).
“Today is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks. We remember those nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who were murdered in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania that morning. I join the American people in prayer as we pay our respects to those brave men and women who were senselessly taken from us, as well as to thank the brave first responders who heroically responded. We will never forget. The resolve of America remains, 'Let’s Roll,’” said Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02).
“September 11, 2001, is a day forever etched into the heart of our nation. Twenty-five years later, we remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken and the countless families forever changed. In the face of unimaginable evil, we witnessed extraordinary courage. First responders ran toward danger as others fled, ordinary Americans became heroes, and our country came together with a strength and unity that defined the American spirit. Today, we remember every life lost, honor the brave men and women who answered the call to serve in the years that followed, and pray for the families who still carry the weight of that day. A quarter century later, we remain forever grateful for their sacrifice and steadfast in our promise: we will never forget,” said Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-07).
“Twenty-five years ago, our nation was attacked on American soil. The clear blue sky was darkened by choking black smoke, ash, and debris, seared into our collective memory like a scar. Nearly 3,000 victims died 25 years ago, and their memories are not forgotten. Protecting the freedoms they cherished, defending these United States in their memory is a serious mantle all Americans must take up. We honor them not only by remembering that day, but by how we carry our nation forward. I hope that with every step we take to better America, we have made them proud,” said Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04).
“Twenty-five years ago, our nation was forever changed by the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We will never forget the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost, the heroic first responders who ran toward danger, and the brave men and women who answered the call to defend our nation in the years that followed. May we never forget the strength and unity that brought Americans together in the days following September 11,” said Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22).
“Twenty-five years later, we remember the nearly 3,000 Americans we lost on September 11 and the heroes who ran toward danger to save their fellow Americans. As a veteran, I will always be grateful to those who answered our nation’s call in the years that followed. Their courage and sacrifice are a reminder of the strength and resilience of the American people. May God bless their families, our first responders and servicemembers, and the United States of America,” said Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02).
“September 11, 2001, is one of the darkest days in our nation's history. Nearly 3,000 Americans went to work that morning and never came home, killed by an act of senseless hate. I have a deep respect for the thousands of Americans who walked into recruiting offices in the months that followed to find those responsible and bring them to justice. Twenty-five years later, I think about and pray for the families who lost someone that day and every man and woman who put on the uniform because of it,” said Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-08).
“Twenty-five years ago, our nation watched pure evil try to break our spirit. Instead, it revealed the very best of who we are. We lost nearly 3,000 innocent lives that day, and we owe it to every one of them to never forget. In the years since, so many brave men and women have answered the call to defend this country, and I’m forever grateful for their service and sacrifice to our great nation. Today, a quarter century later, the American spirit that carried us through that darkest day still burns bright,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16).