U.S. must remain vigilant

• U.S. Senator Roger Wicker reflects on 9/11, saying Americans still carry the shock and grief of that day, and a grateful nation honors those who responded to the atrocities.

Americans will soon mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Much has changed since that Tuesday in 2001. An entire generation has been born and grown into adulthood. But Americans still carry the shock and grief of that day, and a grateful nation honors those who responded to the atrocities. In addition to those feelings, this solemn occasion carries an enduring lesson: America should not wait for a similar wake-up call to strengthen our homeland defense.

Americans Stood Resolute

All of us who lived through 9/11 can recount the moment we heard the news. That morning, I had attended breakfast at the Pentagon with Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. By the time I left, I had learned that both towers had been hit in New York City. As I was returning to the U.S. Capitol, I did not yet know I was leaving one target and heading toward another.

It is important that we remember the details of that day. It was hate for our country and our way of life that motivated the persons who hijacked four planes that day. They flew two jets into the World Trade Center towers in Manhattan and another into a wing of the Pentagon. The heroic civilians on Flight 93 diverted the fourth plane, crashing it into a field in Pennsylvania.

The United States had come under a terror attack—meant not only to kill thousands of Americans and destroy our landmarks but to test the resolve of our nation. Yet for 25 years, America has stood firm against an evil ideology and as a force of good.

Vigilance Prevented More Tragedy

We must not lose sight of how remarkable that resolve has been. When the second tower was struck on 9/11, we knew America was under attack. Then, when the terrorists hit the Pentagon, we understood the assault would not be limited to New York City. Many feared subsequent attacks were on the horizon.

Since 9/11, we have not experienced another major attack on our soil. That fact is a testament to the service members and public servants who stepped forward to defend the nation. They have thwarted every single large-scale terrorist scheme against the homeland for the past quarter century.

Deterring Today’s Threats

The alarm bells on 9/11 captured the entire nation’s attention. In the aftermath, we raised defense investment, crippled Al-Qaeda, and killed Osama Bin Laden. The world learned that America stands firm against attacks. But in the years since, new threats have emerged. An axis of tyrants has banded together to oppose the United States and the freedoms for which we stand. China leads this pack. Xi Jinping has executed an enormous military buildup and is helping Russia, North Korea, and Iran as each one threatens the free world.

The U.S. military and our allies are not as strong as we need to be to defend against all these adversaries simultaneously. Worse still, our unpreparedness could provoke them to greater aggression. We should take their threats seriously and act now. We should not wait for another wake-up call.

In Congress, I am joining President Trump in favor of a proposed increase to our military budget. Together, we are modernizing our armed forces and equipping service members for 21st century fights.

Ultimately, the terrorists behind 9/11 did not have the last word. The American people did. Our vigilance has kept major terror attacks away from our shores. This anniversary can serve as a call to action. It is time to invest in the type of strength necessary to keep evil at bay amid today’s dangers.