Five Years Later
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Five years ago, this date -- September
the 11th -- was seared into America's memory. Nineteen men attacked us
with a barbarity unequaled in our history. They murdered people of all
colors, creeds, and nationalities -- and made war upon the entire free
world. Since that day, America and her allies have taken the offensive
in a war unlike any we have fought before. Today, we are safer, but we
are not yet safe. On this solemn night, I've asked for some of your time
to discuss the nature of the threat still before us, what we are doing
to protect our nation, and the building of a more hopeful Middle East
that holds the key to peace for America and the world.
On 9/11, our nation saw the face of evil. Yet on that awful day, we also
witnessed something distinctly American: ordinary citizens rising to the
occasion, and responding with extraordinary acts of courage. We saw
courage in office workers who were trapped on the high floors of burning
skyscrapers -- and called home so that their last words to their
families would be of comfort and love. We saw courage in passengers
aboard Flight 93, who recited the 23rd Psalm -- and then charged the
cockpit. And we saw courage in the Pentagon staff who made it out of the
flames and smoke -- and ran back in to answer cries for help. On this
day, we remember the innocent who lost their lives -- and we pay tribute
to those who gave their lives so that others might live.
For many of our citizens, the wounds of that morning are still fresh.
I've met firefighters and police officers who choke up at the memory of
fallen comrades. I've stood with families gathered on a grassy field in
Pennsylvania, who take bittersweet pride in loved ones who refused to be
victims -- and gave America our first victory in the war on terror. I've
sat beside young mothers with children who are now five years old -- and
still long for the daddies who will never cradle them in their arms. Out
of this suffering, we resolve to honor every man and woman lost. And we
seek their lasting memorial in a safer and more hopeful world.
Since the horror of 9/11, we've learned a great deal about the enemy. We
have learned that they are evil and kill without mercy -- but not
without purpose. We have learned that they form a global network of
extremists who are driven by a perverted vision of Islam -- a
totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and
despises all dissent. And we have learned that their goal is to build a
radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are
beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to
plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations. The
war against this enemy is more than a military conflict. It is the
decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century, and the calling of
our generation.
Our nation is being tested in a way that we have not been since the
start of the Cold War. We saw what a handful of our enemies can do
with box-cutters and plane tickets. We hear their threats to launch even
more terrible attacks on our people. And we know that if they were able
to get their hands on weapons of mass destruction, they would use them
against us. We face an enemy determined to bring death and suffering
into our homes. America did not ask for this war, and every American
wishes it were over. So do I. But the war is not over -- and it will not
be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious. If we do
not defeat these enemies now, we will leave our children to face a
Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with
nuclear weapons. We are in a war that will set the course for this new
century -- and determine the destiny of millions across the world.
For America, 9/11 was more than a tragedy -- it changed the way we look
at the world. On September the 11th, we resolved that we would go on the
offense against our enemies, and we would not distinguish between the
terrorists and those who harbor or support them. So we helped drive the
Taliban from power in Afghanistan. We put al Qaeda on the run, and
killed or captured most of those who planned the 9/11 attacks, including
the man believed to be the mastermind, Khalid Sheik Mohammed. He and
other suspected terrorists have been questioned by the Central
Intelligence Agency, and they provided valuable information that has
helped stop attacks in America and across the world. Now these men have
been transferred to Guantanamo Bay, so they can be held to account for
their actions. Osama bin Laden and other terrorists are still in
hiding. Our message to them is clear: No matter how long it takes,
America will find you, and we will bring you to justice.