Twenty‑five years have passed since the morning of September 11, 2001, yet the memories remain as sharp as ever. On that day, America faced one of the darkest moments in its history as terrorist attacks claimed thousands of innocent lives and shook the nation to its core. The organizations responsible for the attacks, including Al‑Qaeda, carried out acts of horrific violence that caused immense loss, grief, and lasting trauma. But even in the midst of devastation, the American spirit revealed its strength.

We remember the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and everyday citizens who ran toward danger, not away from it. Their courage became a symbol of what it means to be American: to stand up, to help, to sacrifice for others. We remember the families who endured unimaginable loss and yet carried forward with dignity and resolve.

And we remember how communities across the country—large cities, small towns, and places like ours here in Wisconsin—came together in unity, prayer, and compassion.

The 25th anniversary is not only a time to mourn, but a time to honor.

It reminds us that freedom is precious, resilience is powerful, and the American heart remains unbroken. May we continue to live in a way that honors those we lost and the heroes who showed us the best of who we are.