As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil in history, let us honor the heroes of that tragic day:
The fire fighters, police and other first responders who lost their lives trying to save those trapped in the Twin Towers…
The courageous souls who saved thousands of lives at the expense of their own on United Flight 93…
The first responders — including many OPCMIA members — who worked the pile at Ground Zero to rescue and recover the fallen, too many of whom have suffered severe health consequences as a result…
The brave men and women who volunteered to serve in their countries’ armed forces to punish those responsible and prevent future terrorist attacks.
We owe all of them an incalculable debt of gratitude.
We also owe it to them — and to ourselves — to take to heart the lessons of 9/11.
One lesson is that we can take nothing for granted and that the freedoms we possess as Americans and Canadians can only be preserved through constant vigilance.
Another lesson is that our nations’ strength, like labor’s strength, comes from solidarity. When we are united as a people, we cannot be defeated. But when we are divided, we can inflict far more damage to our nations than any gang of terrorists ever could.
Another lesson is that when we look out for one another, when we act as our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, we can overcome even the worst setbacks.
And another lesson is that our nations’ greatness comes from our values — the very things the terrorists were trying to defeat. These values — freedom, justice, opportunity, equality, democracy — are the very qualities we must continue to fight for every day of every year.
Let us resolve to put these lessons into action on this somber anniversary so that we bring out the best of our union and our nations in the months and years to come.
Daniel E. Stepano
General President
