KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tomorrow, on Patriot Day the more than 1.6 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliary will pause to honor and reflect on a day that began just like any other, but ended in an attack that forever changed our nation.
For most, the memories of what happened that day are still as vivid and painful now as they were 18 years ago, but we can find solace in remembering how our nation stood united together in the days and months following that tragic day. The hope and heroism that emerged from the rubble of ground zero, the Pentagon, and the rural Pennsylvania field, inspired us all.
For generations to come, Americans will look back to the events of 9/11 and the 2,977 Americans lives lost and remember freedom is never free. It is our responsibility to preserve liberty and maintain our way of life, and by doing so, we continue to honor and protect their memory.
This Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, the VFW encourages every American to pause and honor those we lost, and all who have sacrificed to protect and defend our freedom.