Remember

Seven years ago, Americans witnessed and experienced the most catastrophic attack ever inflicted upon our shores by any enemy. The assault came from a group of Islamic jihadists who had declared war on America several years before; a declaration that went largely unnoticed and was largely ignored by most Americans. The event on 9/11 was so cataclysmic that it even drove our congressmen and congresswomen to gather in unity on the steps of the capitol to sing “God Bless America” and to declare their solidarity against all enemies who dare attempt to inflict America with such unprovoked attacks.

Although building for decades, the plans to take purposeful aim at America solidified among many Islamic jihad organizations when the Saudis accepted the assistance of America to defend Saudi Arabia and oppose the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait instead of calling upon armed Muslim groups such as al-Qaeda (see The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright, pages 156-161 for more detail). Thus began the progression of violence against American assets that culminated in the terror of 9/11/2001 and American involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In these seven years, the only reason that America has not been subject to more atrocities is because of the disruption of the jihadi terror cells during the Global War against terror. Thanks to the vigilance of the Armed Forces and security personnel of America and her allies, other acts of planned terrorism have been thwarted. Sadly, at the same time, Americans fragment over how to handle these enemies who are still conducting their war against us. A lot has happened since that terrible day, and thankfully we have not experienced anything like it again, but if we need a reminder of why we are at war, I invite us to look again at the photos and videos of 9/11/01 and experience once more the stake of terrorism that was painfully thrust through the hearts of all Americans. Use this 9/11 anniversary to not only reflect upon the losses we sustained on that day and the subsequent heroism of all Americans fighting our enemies, but to also remember the unity we need to display in order to demonstrate to this world that Americans will not be defeated. “United we stand, and in God we trust.”