The Fifteenth Anniversary of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks

           Today is the fifteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on New York, Washington and over Pennsylvania by Islamists. 

            As I do every year, I post on this day to recall the attacks and remember the dead.  As always, I express my gratitude to all those who serve in the global War on Terrorism in the armed services, as civilian government agents, and as first responders, as well as to the political leaders and those who supported them for the policies that have helped to prevent another massive terrorist attack like the one a decade and a half ago today. 

I note also how every American who pays taxes contributes to the war against terrorism and violent jihad (Islamic holy war) more generally and how every American who continues to engage in normal activities, such as using mass transit or attending a public event thereby resists terror. 

Although there have been many smaller-scale terrorist attacks on American soil and against Americans abroad, fifteen years ago, it seemed unlikely that such a period would pass without a major attack as September 11.  That such an attack has not occurred has not been by luck, but because of these collective anti-terrorism efforts.

Not only have Americans prevented another attack, but they have not rewarded terrorism by giving into the demands of the terrorists, as many would do, which would only encourage more of it against the United States or its allies. 

It is vital to understand that the determined terrorist enemy believes their faith obliges them to engage in violent jihad against those whom they regard as infidels who do not submit and not to fall for the militant Islamist lie that they attack their victims because of what they or their governments do.  There is never any justification or excuse for targeting innocent civilians with violence for any reason.  We must remember the main lesson of September 11 is that we ignore the threat of militant Islam anywhere in the world at our peril.  

May Americans continue to resist terrorism and violent jihad.  May God bless America.  May God foil the evil plots of the enemy and keep Americans safe.