Radio Address of the President to the Nation
9/11/2004 11:18:00 AM
------------------------------------------------------------------
To: National Desk
Contact: White House Press Office, 202-456-2580
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ --
The following is the text of the President's radio address to the Nation:
The Oval Office
10:06 a.m. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This is a day of remembrance for our country.
And I am honored to be joined at the White House today by Americans who
lost so much in the terrible events of September the 11th, 2001,
and have felt that loss every day since.
Three years ago, the struggle of good against evil was compressed
into a single morning. In the space of only 102 minutes, our country
lost more citizens than were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Time has passed, but the memories do not fade. We remember the images of fire,
and the final calls of love, and the courage of rescuers who saw
death and did not flee.
We remember the cruelty of enemies who murdered the innocent, and
rejoiced in our suffering. We remember the many good lives that ended too soon --
which no one had the right to take.
And our nation remembers the families left behind to carry a burden of sorrow.
They have shown courage of their own. And with the help of God's grace,
and with support from one another, the families of terror victims have
shown a strength that survives all hurt. Each of them remains in the
thoughts and prayers of the American people.
The terrorist attacks on September the 11th were a turning point for our nation.
We saw the goals of a determined enemy: to expand the scale of their murder,
and force America to retreat from the world. And our nation accepted a mission:
We will defeat this enemy.
The United States of America is determined to guard our homeland against
future attacks. As the September the 11th Commission concluded,
our country is safer than we were three years ago, but we are not yet safe.
So every day, many thousands of dedicated men and women are on duty --
as air marshals, airport screeners, cargo inspectors, border patrol officers,
and first responders. At the same time, Americans serving in the FBI and CIA
are performing their daily work with professionalism, while we reform those
agencies to see the dangers around the next corner. Our country is grateful
to all our fellow citizens who watch for the enemy, and answer the alarms,
and guard America by their vigilance.
The United States is determined to stay on the offensive, and to pursue the
terrorists wherever they train, or sleep, or attempt to set down roots.
We have conducted this campaign from the mountains of Afghanistan,
to the heart of the Middle East, to the horn of Africa, to the
islands of the Philippines, to hidden cells within our own country.
More than three-quarters of al Qaeda's key members and associates
have been detained or killed. We know that there is still a danger to America.
So we will not relent until the terrorists who plot murder against our people
are found and dealt with.
The United States is also determined to advance democracy in the broader Middle East,
because freedom will bring the peace and security we all want.
When the peoples of that region are given new hope and lives of dignity,
they will let go of old hatreds and resentments, and the terrorists will
find fewer recruits. And as governments of that region join in the fight
against terror instead of harboring terrorists, America and the world will
be more secure. Our present work in Iraq and Afghanistan is difficult.
It is also historic and essential. By our commitment and sacrifice today,
we will help transform the Middle East, and increase the safety of our
children and grandchildren.
Since September the 11th, the sacrifices in the war on terror have fallen
most heavily on members of our military, and their families. Our nation is
grateful to the brave men and women who are taking risks on our behalf at this hour.
And America will never forget the ones who have fallen --
men and women last seen doing their duty, whose names we will honor forever.
The war on terror goes on. The resolve of our nation is still being tested.
And in the face of danger we are showing our character. Three years after
the attack on our country, Americans remain strong and resolute, patient
in a just cause, and confident of the victory to come.
Thank you for listening.
These individuals are tyrants, and so they hate democracy.
They are bigots, zealots, and persecutors, and so they hate
Americas freedom tolerance, and respect for all people.
The terrorists of Sept. 11 live and flourish in darkness.
They cannot survive in the liberating and inspirational
sunlight of American freedom and democracy.
~~Ted Olson,
United States Solicitor General
The sentiment in the United States
changed on September 11 about whats acceptable and whats not in terms
of what you can say& [In the past] we would err on the side of
If its distasteful, let it stay, Now we err on the side of
If you want to post this kind of information you dont have to do it here.
~~Stephen Killeen, President of Terra Lycos, Provider of Online Message Boards
Our enemies have made the mistake that Americas enemies always make.
They saw liberty and thought they saw weakness. And now, they see defeat.
~~George W. Bush, President of the United States
What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our
World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What
was it you hoped we would learn?
Whatever it was, please know that you failed.
Did you want us to
respect your cause? You just damned your cause.
Did you want to make us fear?
You just steeled our resolve.
Did you want to tear us apart?
You just brought us together...
So I ask again: what was it you hoped to teach us?
It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths
of your hatred.
If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange:
You don't
know my people. You don't know what we're capable of.
You don't know what you just started.
But you're about to learn.
~~ Leonard Pitts, Jr., 12 Sep 2001 "We'll go forward from this Moment"
in Miami Herald
I dont think contributors to the various September 11th funds
thought that their donations would be caught up in so much red tape and become a
source of frustration to families.
~~Elizabeth McLaughlin, September 11 widow
This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger.
This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others;
it will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing.
~~ President George W. Bush, 14 Sep 2001,
Prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.
We will plant that flag of freedom forever by winning the war on terrorism,
by rallying our economy, and by keeping strong and adhering to the values we hold so dear
starting with freedom.
~~President of the United States George W. Bush
At this critical moment, the United States can rely on its Allies in North America
and Europe for assistance and support. NATO solidarity remains the essence of our Alliance.
Our message to the people of the United States is that we are with you.
Our message to those who perpetrated these unspeakable crimes is equally clear:
you will not get away with it.
~~NATO North Atlantic Council, 11 Sep 2001
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for,
protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our
sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once
like in the United States where men were free."
Ronald Reagan
The people who committed these acts are clearly determined to try to force
the United States of America and our values to withdraw from the world.
Or to respond by curtailing our freedoms. If we do that,
the terrorists will have won. And we have no intention of doing so.
~~Donald Rumsfeld, Defense Secretary