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National Commander’s Sept. 11th Message
At 8:46 a.m., on Sept. 11, 2001, American Airlines flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At that moment, we were under attack.
As the morning progressed, we can all remember feeling uneasy, vulnerable, scared, as we tried to make sense of the situation. Somebody had come onto our doorstep and wrought unimaginable havoc on the innocent. For the first time in many of our lives, our nation was the victim of a devastating act of war on our soil.
However, it did not take long for Americans to show our courage and our resolve. When passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 learned of their impending doom, they took it upon themselves to ensure that more American lives would not be lost.
A handful of truly brave souls were the first to take the fight to the terrorists. As they attempted to take control of their flight, surely bound for another high-profile target in our nation’s capitol, the terrorists realized they had met their match, and rolled the jet liner into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
While the 37 passengers and seven crew members aboard Flight 93 perished that morning, their quick, selfless action ensured that hundreds of lives would be saved and a strong message would ring out across the globe that America would not succumb to the will of terrorists.
In the weeks that followed, Americans bound together and sought to bring our assailants to justice. The Taliban government in Afghanistan, who harbored the cowards responsible for the attacks, soon felt the wrath of American military might.
America launched the Global War on Terrorism, a new struggle for the survival of our ideals that would send a new generation of American veterans into the fight.
In the years since, the brave men and women of our all-volunteer fighting force have kept us safe on the home front by hitting the terrorists where they live. However, our continued security has come at the expense of those willing to lay down their lives for our country.
Along with the 2,974 who perished in the attacks on 9/11, we also honor the 4,739 brave American service men and women who have given their lives in support of the Global War on Terrorism. This day is as much about their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, as it is the victims of the attack.
From the earliest days of our nation, regular citizens have consistently taken up arms against brutal tyrants threatening our way of life. Over the last seven years, our newest generation of American heroes has certainly exemplified this unique sense of patriotism and valor.
This is why we continue to do what we do at AMVETS. When our young men and women return from the fight, it is our duty as a nation to see to it that they receive the care and recognition they deserve. And for those who never return home, it is our duty to see that their sacrifice is honored and their families are cared for.
Over the last few years, AMVETS has worked tirelessly from headquarters down to each individual post, meeting the needs of our veterans.
Whether it is on a national scope, such as working to pass a war-time GI Bill, ensuring a bright future for our young veterans, or if it is simply taking the time to visit with our wounded warriors at military hospitals and VA facilities across the country, AMVETS remains a leader in service to our veterans.
As an organization, we must continue to mobilize our membership, demonstrating to our veterans that we truly have their best interests in mind. When each of us joined the military, we became part of something much bigger than ourselves; we made a conscious decision to serve our fellow citizens.
Though many of us have since left the military, it does not mean that we must stop serving. So as we reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001, let us each recommit ourselves to the ideals that make our nation great, and recommit ourselves to serving the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep us free.
Veterans serving veterans,
John “Chad” Hapner
AMVETS National Commander
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