On Wednesday, America will commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. On this day, we pause to honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93.
We remember the victims, their families, and the countless heroes—firefighters, police officers, medical personnel, and ordinary citizens—who displayed extraordinary courage and compassion. Their bravery and selflessness remain a beacon of hope and inspiration.
We reflect on a day that tested the resilience and spirit of the American people. It was a day of unimaginable loss and sorrow, but it also showcased the strength of human compassion, bravery, and unity. Despite the divisions within our nation, we still have the potential to recognize the inherent goodness in our fellow Americans and come together in the face of stark division.
Following those attacks, The United States began The Global War on Terror as the first time we went to war with individuals responsible for the attacks instead of sovereign nations. The United States showed inventive matters of diplomacy in a volatile area of the world.
The War on Terror also saw Saddam Hussein's removal after decades of brutal dictatorship and the dismantling of a regime responsible for the use of chemical weapons against civilians. The fight to hold the terrorists responsible for the attacks were complex and fraught with difficulties, and they also brought about significant positive changes. The legacy of these efforts continues to influence the region and the world in meaningful ways.
I will be delivering my annual September 11th lecture to my 'Introduction to Intelligence' graduate course at the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy. This lecture is a tradition I uphold every year during the anniversary week to educate a new generation of students, most of whom were not yet born in 2001.
As we mark the anniversary of September 11, let us strive to see the good in our neighbors. We owe that small measure of humility to those we have lost and to those who have sacrificed so much. Join me in praying for comfort and peace for the families whose loved ones vanished that day and, in the years, since, as our military continues to defend our great nation.