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Obama: 'No single event can ever destroy who we are'

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    President marks 11 years since 9/11 attacks at Pentagon

  • Duration 7:14
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Sector that a general Dempsey.

Member of our armed forces and most importantly to the families.

Survivors and loved -- Of those we lost.

Michelle and I are humbled to join -- again on this solemn anniversary.

Today we remember -- -- that began like so many others.

-- rides to school.

And commutes to work.

Early flights and familiar routines.

-- drugs.

And quiet moments.

Was -- Like vessel.

The clear blue sky.

But this -- that would soon be filled with clouds of smoke.

And prayers of -- -- nation.

Shaken to its core.

Even now all these years later.

It is easy for those of us who lived through that -- to close our eyes and to find ourselves back there.

Back here.

Back when brief crashed over us like an awful way.

When Americans everywhere -- held each other -- Seeking reassurance that the world we knew.

Crumbling under our feet.

Eleven times we have marks another September 11.

Come and gone.

Eleven times we have Paulson.

Can remember us.

Reflection.

Community.

And in purpose.

This is never an easy day but it is especially difficult for all of you.

The families of nearly 3000 innocents who lost their lives.

-- mothers and fathers.

We're husbands and wives your sons.

And your daughters.

They were taken from -- suddenly and far too so.

To you and your families.

The rest of us cannot begin to imagine the pain you've endured these many years.

Will never fully understand how difficult has been for your carry on.

-- someone that strength.

To rebuild your lives.

But no matter how many years -- No matter how many times we come together on this hallowed ground.

Notice.

That you'll never be alone.

Their loved ones will never before gotten.

They -- and door in the hearts of our nation.

He goes through their sacrifice they helped us.

Make the America we are today.

America because merged.

Even stronger.

Most of the Americans we lost that -- -- never considered the possibility that a small band of terrorists halfway around the world could do such harm.

Most have never heard the name al-Qaeda.

And yet it's because of their sacrifice that we've come together and dealt a crippling blow.

The organization brought people to our shores.

-- qaeda's leadership has been devastated.

And Osama bin Laden will never threaten us again.

Our country safer and our people.

Our resort.

It's true the majority of those who died on September 11 and never put on our country's uniform.

And yet they inspired more than five million Americans.

Members of the 9/11 generation to Wear that uniform over the last decade.

These men and women have done everything.

We have -- Today the war in Iraq is over.

In Afghanistan we're training Afghan security forces and forging a partnership with the Afghan people.

And by the end of 4014 the longest war in our history will be over.

Meanwhile -- -- some stories of open their -- store troops or military pamphlets.

And our veterans.

Eleven years ago memorial services were held more Americans of different races and creeds and backgrounds and beliefs.

And yet instead of turning us against each other.

Tragedy has brought us together.

I've always said that our fight is where the al-Qaeda and its affiliates not where Islam or any other religion.

This country was built as a beacon of freedom and tolerance.

That's what's made -- sprawl.

Now.

And forever.

Finally when.

Those services souls were taken from -- straight left behind unfulfilled and and on unfulfilled work and tasks that remain -- And that's why on -- -- others sought to bring this country down we chose to build it up when -- national certain day of service and remembrance.

Scripture tells us not be overcome by evil.

But overcome.

Evil -- good.

There's no better way to honor the best in those who -- -- -- By discovering the best in ourselves.

This anniversary allows us.

To -- -- face that even.

The darkest night gives way to a brighter don't.

Today we can come here to the Pentagon.

Touch these names and kneel beside a building -- a single stone still there as the stars of that fire.

We can visit the field of honor Pennsylvania remember the heroes.

Who made -- site.

Obviously water cascading.

Into the footprints of the Twin Towers.

And gives up new tower rising above the New York -- And even though we may never be able to fully lift the burden carried by.

Those left behind.

We know that somewhere.

Son is growing up where this father's eyes.

And a daughter has her mother's lap.

Living reminders.

That those who died.

-- -- -- -- So as painful as this day isn't always well be it leaves us with a -- But no single event can ever destroy who we are.

No active terrorists.

Can ever change.

What we stand for.

Instead we recommit ourselves to the values that we believe in.

Holding firmly.

Without wavering.

To the hope that we -- That's the commitment that we reaffirm today.

And that's why when the history books are written.

The true legacy of 9/11 will not be one of fear or hate or division.

It will be a safer world.

Stronger nation.

People.

More united than ever before.

God bless the memories of those we lost.

And god bless these United States of America.

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