United States Army:
A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
AND THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMY:
ON THE MORNING OF 11 SEPTEMBER, OUR NATION SUSTAINED A HORRIFYING ATTACK AGAINST OUR PEOPLE, OUR PROPERTY, AND OUR SOVEREIGNTY. IN ITS ASSAULT ON OUR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY, THIS BRUTAL ACT OF WAR IS AN ATTACK AGAINST ALL WHO EMBRACE THE PRINCIPLES OF PEACE, FREEDOM, AND DEMOCRACY. IN NEW YORK, IN WASHINGTON, IN PENNSYLVANIA, THIS TERRORIST ATTACK ON HUMANITY HAS COST US THE DEAREST OF OUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, OUR LOVED ONES BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN.
WE DO NOT YET KNOW THE FULL EXTENT OF OUR LOSSES, BUT WE KNOW ALREADY THE STRENGTH OF OUR RESOLVE - - THE DEDICATION OF THE THOUSANDS OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO DEAL WITH THIS CRISIS; THE UNFALTERING SENSE OF DUTY, OF HONOR, OF SACRIFICE OF THOSE COUNTLESS NUMBERS WHO - - IN MANY CASES - - HAVE RISKED THEIR OWN LIVES TO SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE NATION AND OUR SISTER SERVICES, THE ARMY IS STILL CALLING THE ROLL, ACCOUNTING FOR THE MISSING, ASSESSING THE DAMAGE, AND MOVING RAPIDLY TO FULL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY.
BUT LET US ASSURE YOU: ATTACKS OF THIS NATURE - - INDEED ANY ATTACK AGAINST OUR COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE WHEREVER THEY SERVE - - MAY STUN MOMENTARILY, BUT AS HISTORY SHOWS, THIS NATION WILL PREVAIL. IT WILL ABSORB THE BLOWS OF THE THREATENED AND PARANOID WHO FEAR OUR PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY AND THE FUNDAMENTAL DIGNITY OF EACH MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD TO ENJOY PEACE AND THE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION. IT IS NOT THE U.S. THAT THREATENS THESE TERRORIST AGENTS; IT IS OUR WAY OF LIFE AND OUR CELEBRATION OF INDIVIDUAL HUMAN DIGNITY.
WE WILL EMERGE FROM THIS ATTACK STRONGER - - WITH GREATER RESOLVE TO PREVAIL AGAINST THE FORCES OF HATRED AND DARKNESS.
OUR NONNEGOTIABLE CONTRACT WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REMAINS THE CAUSE OF PEACE AND THE ALLEVIATION OF SUFFERING, BUT WHEN CALLED, WE WILL FIGHT AND WE WILL WIN OUR NATION'S WARS AS WE HAVE FOR OVER 226 YEARS. AND THE LEGACY OF OUR NATION'S MOST ESTEEMED INSTITUTION REMAINS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER - - THE CENTERPIECE OF OUR FORMATIONS.
WE ARE STRONG; WE ARE READY; AND WE WILL KEEP FAITH WITH OUR FALLEN COMRADES AND THEIR LOVED ONES. AND WE WILL FULFILL OUR CONTRACT.
GOD BLESS YOU, GOD BLESS THE ARMY, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.