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Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 attacks, the day that changed everything in America. While the devastation was astounding, the terrorist attacks also revealed the best of the American spirit in their aftermath; first-responders fearlessly did all they could to save victims, and ordinary Americans joined together to heal as one. Below are some powerful quotes to reflect on when you’re remembering 9/11 on its anniversary.
The Most Powerful 9/11 Quotes:
“Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.’ ” — President George W. Bush
“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.” -President Barack Obama
“You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy.” — Colin Powell
“Sept. 11, 2001, seems destined to be the watershed event of our lives and the greatest test for our democracy in our lifetimes.” — Lt. Col. Shelton F. Leskford, U.S. Marine Corps
“September 11 impressed upon us that life is a precious gift … And I think we all have a duty to devote at least a small portion of our daily lives to ensuring that neither America nor the world ever forgets September 11.” – Sen. Bill Frist
��If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” —Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl
“Commending the victims to almighty God’s mercy, I implore his strength upon all involved in rescue efforts and in caring for the survivors.” – Pope John Paul II
“Five years from the date of the attack that changed our world, we’ve come back to remember the valor of those we lost—those who innocently went to work that day and the brave souls who went in after them. We have also come to be ever mindful of the courage of those who grieve for them, and the light that still lives in their hearts.” — New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani
Ten years have passed since a perfect blue sky morning turned into the blackest of nights. Since then we’ve lived in sunshine and in shadow, and although we can never un-see what happened here, we can also see that children who lost their parents have grown into young adults, grandchildren have been born and good works and public service have taken root to honor those we loved and lost.
– New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg
