September 11 is a day of remembrance for our country, and the world.  Let us never forget those who lost so much in the terrible events of that day in 2001. Five years ago, we witnessed a crime that was compressed into less than two hours, but changed our way of life forever. In the space of only 102 minutes, people from all over the world witnessed the tragic death of close to 3,000 innocents – children, mothers and fathers, and dedicated citizens – as they perished in the worst terrorist act mankind has ever seen.

We stood in front of our televisions early that morning and watched the courage of the firefighters, the calls for help, and the life taken away from so many.  Still today, the cruelty of terrorism, and its impact on innocent people, is talked about in every news media broadcast and in every newspaper on a regular basis.

As educators for DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam, we serve a critical role by assuring that the children of our service members receive a quality education.  Often when family members are deployed it is our schools and our teachers who provide the consistency and stability for the children left behind.  We also have the responsibility to ensure that the children of today become productive citizens of our country and the world.

Let us never forget how fragile life is as we embrace the freedom s and liberties that make the United States the beacon of hope, peace, and stability throughout the world. The tragedy of September 11 brought us together in a new age of dedication to liberty and freedom.

Citizens of the world will never forget the ones who fell on September 11 or in the other terrorist acts that have taken the lives of so many innocent people. The war on terror goes on. The resolve of democracy is still being tested throughout the world, and especially in Afghanistan, Israel, Korea, Lebanon, and Iraq.

It is fitting that our lasting tribute to innocent victims of terrorism, is that we never forget.  In many of our schools we will again remember the tragic events of five years ago by participating in special ceremonies and other activities. These events in honor of those supporting the ongoing fight against terrorism around the world will be marked with singing, patriotic readings, and the presentation of colors.    

Please join me in taking a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. – September 11 – to remember those people who died or remain missing. This is the moment when the first plane, American flight 11, hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Don’t forget that our courageous soldiers make a commitment to freedom every day on the battlefield, on the seas, and in the skies.  On this occasion let us also pause to honor those service members who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedom in Iraq .

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam