May We Never Forget-UPDATED

Madame visited a New York Fire Department
Memorial during the 2008 campaign

I generally try to insert some wit and humor into my LOTUS postings. At least I hope some of Madame's wit and sarcasm are rubbing off on me when she types.

However, tonight, September 10th, 2009, on the eve of the eighth anniversary of the attacks of 9/11, I would like to remain serious.

As you recall, earlier this week I wrote about Madame's support of the soldiers. A year ago, on September 11, 2008, she sent off her favorite soldier, Track, to Iraq:



She continues to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 and those who have lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan in defense of the atrocities of that Tuesday morning. In our post responding to President Obama's speech last night, Madame called out President Obama's poor calibration of words when he compared the cost of fighting two wars to the cost of health care reform:

Finally, President Obama delivered an offhand applause line tonight about the cost of the War on Terror. As we approach the anniversary of the September 11th attacks and honor those who died that day and those who have died since in the War on Terror, in order to secure our freedoms, we need to remember their sacrifices and not demonize them as having had too high a price tag.

While on the campaign trail last year, Madame visited Ground Zero in New York City and met some of New York's finest, member of the New York Fire Department. She had this to say about Ground Zero:

I wish every American would come through here, I wish every world leader would come through here and understand what it is that took place here and more importantly how America came together united to commit to never allowing this to happen again.

May we never forget. American Airlines Flight 11, American Airlines Flight 77, United Airlines Flight 175, United Airline Flight 93. New York City, Shanksville, Arlington. Men, women, children. Every race. Every background. 3,017 died. More than 6,000 injured. May we never forget.


Updated: This morning, Madame posted this on Facebook, "Remembering 9/11":

It has been eight years since the United States suffered the worst attack on our soil since Pearl Harbor. As we look back, we should take stock of what has transpired since then. We have sent our nation's soldiers into battlefields far from home to defend us. These brave men and women live in treacherous conditions, facing improvised roadside bombs, suicide bombers and other attacks. Yet they fight on in their mission to defend the United States and all of us without complaint.

Our all-volunteer service is made up of Americans of all races, creeds, and economic backgrounds. These soldiers are on the front lines of this battle, and there are others in the fight as well. We must continue to give our utmost support to the United States military and those that support their efforts. In light of this, I have added my name to a letter sent to President Obama urging him to remain committed to prosecuting the War on Terror in Afghanistan. Never have so few defended the liberty of so many. We must continue to support their mission because they will continue to fight for us.

President Reagan ended his first inaugural with this story:

Under one such marker lies a young man-Martin Treptow-who left his job in a small town barber shop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division. There, on the western front, he was killed trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire. We are told that on his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf under the heading, "My Pledge," he had written these words: "America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone." The crisis we are facing today does not require of us the kind of sacrifice that Martin Treptow and so many thousands of others were called upon to make. It does require, however, our best effort, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds; to believe that together, with God's help, we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us. And, after all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans. God bless you, and thank you.

As we look back to that tragic day eight years ago we take pride in the fact that we came together as a nation in the days, months and years that followed. We rose to the challenge that fateful day and we still can. And why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans.

I thank all our servicemen and women, in and out of uniform, for keeping us safe over the last eight years in the face of enormous odds.

Please thank a veteran today. They certainly do not look for those thanks, but they have more than earned it.

May we never forget.