We honor the victims of September 11, 2001. Our hearts and prayers are with the victims, families and friends who lost loved ones on this fateful day.
We saw the best of our courageous spirit on a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania as 44 people gave their lives thwarting the terrorists’ plans and bringing the plane down. Their actions saved countless lives.
We experienced the devastation of our military under attack and the loss of 125 military and civilian personnel at the Pentagon, along with 64 people on the plane.
We felt the utter destruction of the Twin Towers when two planes flew into the buildings and killed 2,763, including our brave first responders.
The response to these heinous terrorist acts on September 11th was the mobilization of our military into Afghanistan to root out terrorists and prevent them from ever harming Americans again.
Unfortunately, we watched in horror as suicide bombs were detonated near the Kabul Airport. Leaving 13 U.S. troops killed on August 26, 2021, as they heroically tried to evacuate U.S. citizens and Afghan civilians. This day is woven into our country’s fabric and forever part of our sacrifices on the field of battle.
We watched as the chaos in Afghanistan unfolded and mourned the sacrifices so many made in our 20-year war. The figures below reflect deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq, as many of our military fought in both wars.
American service members killed in Afghanistan through April: 2,448.
U.S. contractors: 3,846.
Afghan national military and police: 66,000.
Other allied service members, including other NATO member states: 1,144.
Afghan civilians: 47,245.
Aid workers: 444.
Journalists: 72.
As Americans we remember September 11, 2001, and August 26, 2021, with a heavy heart, but we also celebrate our enduring spirit and the freedoms we fought so valiantly to preserve. Let us never forget what so many have sacrificed and always remember the legacy of courage, bravery, and commitment to our country. God Bless America.
