fox files

Think about this.

On that September morning, a group of cowardly terrorists had a very singular mission: steal a handful of planes and fly those planes into populous national landmarks in order to kill as many people as possible.

But the terrorists’ mission was actually much more complex than that. Their goal was to instill fear in the hearts of all Americans. To shake our sense of safety and security. To trample the spirit of a nation.

And on that day, and in the days and weeks that followed, it felt a lot like those 19 men had succeeded. After all, lost were almost 3,000 lives that day.

This nation was indeed forever changed.

But the truth is, those terrorists failed:

They failed because they could not control how we responded to their actions. See, even in the midst of chaos, there were men and women who had the courage to act in the face of danger. Men and women who chose to run toward danger rather than away from it.

I’m thinking of Todd Beamer on Flight 93, who encompassed the sheepdog mentality when he famously shouted, “Let’s roll!”

I’m thinking of the 72 law enforcement officers who answered the call and who gave their lives for that call.

I’m thinking of the 343 firefighters who trudged up burning flights of stairs and who, quite literally, walked through fire to save people trapped inside two doomed buildings.

I’m thinking of the 43 EMT’s and paramedics who worked tending to those in need without thinking about themselves. They lost their lives helping others.

I’m thinking of the bakery shop owners. The 911 operators. The office managers and security guards. Men and women who, in the midst of danger, made the brave decision to act.

And I’m thinking of all of the responsibly armed Americans, who serve as absolute proof that there are people who refuse to let the spirit of a nation die.

In the days after 9/11, this country experienced more unity and more togetherness than perhaps any other time in history.

It was a time of great tragedy, but also a time of great hope.

Now, each passing year reminds us that we are strong, hopeful and blessed.

We will never forget those that were lost 17 years ago. Never.

But the narrative has changed. Today, we look to the brave men and women who run toward danger instead of away from it, and it becomes abundantly clear that we will always survive, so long as we have good people willing to fight back instead of hand-wringing and finger-pointing.