RELEASE from Gov. Phil Bryant on the 14th anniversary of 9/11:
Fourteen years ago today, every American was shaken to the core by the terrorist attacks on our country. It was one of those days that no one will ever forget, not in Mississippi and certainly not in New York City, Washington, D.C., and that infamous field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Frankly, it’s a day we never should forget.
On this anniversary, we need to honor the 2,977 men and women who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. In particular, we should remember the brave passengers and crew of Flight 93, who took down their own plane when the terrorists struck, probably saving thousands of lives by knowingly sacrificing their own. We should always keep the victims of 9/11, as well as the families they left behind, in our thoughts and prayers.
We need to honor the first responders who rushed into burning, collapsing buildings, risking and often losing their own lives to save others. Pay respect to their memory by thanking a firefighter, police officer, or EMT whenever you can. They accept the danger as part of their job, but let us never take their service for granted.
And, we need to honor the men and women of the American military. In the years since 9/11, they have repeatedly been separated from their families, been thrown into combat, and put their lives on the line willingly for our freedoms. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who wear the uniform, and to their families, as well.
Today, I hope that we will all set aside a moment of silent prayer to remember these heroes of 9/11 and to thank God for the bountiful blessings in our own lives and for the great nation in which we live.
9/11/15
Magnolia Tribune
