United we stand - Together we will prevail.

Message to the Sailors and Marines
of the Department of the Navy
from the Honorable Hansford T. Johnson
Acting Secretary of the Navy
In Remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001

Throughout our history, certain images become engrained in our
minds – the flag raising at Iwo Jima; the day President Kennedy
was killed; Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon; President
Reagan telling the Soviets to "tear down this wall."

For all of us, the events of September 11th, 2001 will forever
live in our memories.

We shall never forget the images of planes flying into the World
Trade Center or the smoke rising from the Pentagon. We shall
never forget the courage and compassion of men and women racing
into burning buildings to save the innocent or those heroes who
died in a Pennsylvania field.

The days following the attack brought even more memories.

We shall never forget the image of a boy leaving flowers outside
of the American embassy in Moscow. We shall never forget the
candlelight vigils held in India and Bangladesh.

Thousands of Germans marched at Brandenburg Gate. One hundred
thousand Canadians gathered in Ottawa. Jordanian women gathered
to pray – all sharing in our sorrow.

There is no doubt that the horrific acts of a few were surpassed
by the heroic acts of many. All Sailors, Marines, Soldiers,
Airmen and Coastguardsmen continue to perform daily acts of
heroism in response to the attacks. But the legacy of that
September day lies in the worldwide embrace of freedom that
followed.

Today, millions of people from nations around the world stand
united behind one ideal – that the destructive agendas of
radicals shall never eclipse the light of liberty.

Though enemies of freedom hide throughout the world, every day
we and our allies remove more of them from the innocent
populations they infest.

We stand on the front lines of our defense, but we do not stand
alone. Forces from Britain, Poland and many other nations stand
beside us. And the American public stands behind us.

Individual roles continue to change to meet the challenges of
the Global War on Terrorism. But together our purpose remains
the same – to champion the cause of freedom.

Our Commander-in-Chief leads set our course when he said, "We
will not waiver. We will not tire. We will not falter. We
will not fail."

We must never forget legacy of that September day – a world
drawn together in the common cause of freedom and our renewed
devotion to it.

God Bless each of you and your families for your service, your
sacrifice and your commitment to freedom.

May God Continue to Bless the United States of America.