Today marks the seventh anniversary of the September 11th attacks. That day will be recorded as one of the most tragic and horrific in the history of our nation; a day when we once again lost our innocence. On that morning, every American woke up to a new kind of terror and a life forever changed. Now, seven years later, it is important to remember the innocent Americans who lost their lives, the first responders who sacrificed their lives for others, and our men and women in uniform who risk their lives every day for the sake of freedom.

For far too long, we lived unaware of the ruthlessness of those who wished to do us harm. The events of September 11th forced us to commit ourselves to our security and the long fight against terrorism. We have made great progress in the last seven years to protect our way of life, but the Global War on Terror is far from over and will be a struggle for years to come. We must never forget the events of that gruesome day and we must stay diligent to never back down in this fight. Now, more than ever, we must continue to stay on the offensive and do what is necessary here at home to keep Americans safe.

As a member of Congress, I will have the opportunity to participate and view the dedication ceremony of the 9/11 memorial park at the Pentagon. The memorial consists of benches that mark the memory of the 184 people who died on Flight 77 and at the Pentagon. It is a memorial that is both 'individual and collective' allowing visitors to experience the memorial in a way that best suits them. The park will change how Americans view the Pentagon and open it in a way that was never intended, but in a way that will serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifice for freedom.