Montana’s Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL Commander, marked September 11th by saying that, through tragedy, America became stronger.
In a video message to his constituents, Zinke said:
At 8:46 AM on the September 11, 2001 the world changed forever when nineteen radical Islamic terrorist hijacked commercial jetliners and crashed them into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
These cowardly attacks murdered 2,977 innocent civilians and nearly 5,000 troops in the subsequent War on Terror.
The world witnessed the best and worst of humanity that day. Today we remember the best:
The 72 law enforcement officers and 343 firefighters who lost their lives running in to the towers while everyone else was fleeing for their lives.
We remember the 246 passengers and crew members on the hijacked flights.
And we remember the 2,606 in the World Trade Center and in the surrounding area and 125 civilians and 55 military personnel at the Pentagon who were just going to work.
He told his constituents that to forget what happened that day would be “dangerous” because a free nation is a vulnerable nation.
In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
Radical Islamic terrorists and those who fund it remain a credible threat to America and a clear and present danger to democracy.
He served as a U.S. Navy SEAL for more than 20 years. Zinke also led roughly 3,500 Special Operations through Iraq.
I have led American troops to the corners of the world in search of those responsible for these attacks.
I have seen America’s sons, daughters, mothers and fathers fight valiantly for our freedom and pay the ultimate sacrifice to defend us.
Too many of Montana’s own have fallen in the line of duty fighting radical Islamic terrorists like 31 year old husband and father of four, Blackfeet warrior Army Corporal Tony Many Hides of Great Falls.
We owe them our eternal gratitude.
He called upon his constituents to remember and honor those who lost their lives that day.
Freedom isn’t free and today is a reminder of that.
May God bless America, and God bless the men and women who defender her.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), who also served in the military as a lieutenant colonel and spent more than a year in Kuwait and also served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, recalled September 11th in a video message. She stated that America’s adversaries intended harm then, and warned they still do today, so it is important never to forget the fight to protect America.
The fight to protect our freedoms continues today. It is one of my greatest honors to put on our nation’s uniform and stand alongside the fearless men and women of our armed services willing to make tremendous sacrifices to defend our liberties and way of life.
Today is a reminder that we must work to ensure that America’s greatness will always overcome adversity. Thank you and may God bless Iowa and these great United States of America.