9/11 Remembered: Mitt Romney's Remarks

More than a decade has now passed since that day of tragedy. But the visions. And the events. Are seared in the memory of every American. We remember those who died. We marvel at the courage of those... See More

More than a decade has now passed since that day of tragedy. But the visions. And the events. Are seared in the memory of every American. We remember those who died. We marvel at the courage of those who stormed the cockpit. When they became aware of the malevolent purpose of the hijackers. We hold up in prayer the families and friends who lived in the shadow. Cast by Greek. We draw strength. From the selflessness. Of the first responders. And we renew. Our resolve to protect America from the designs of evil men. Like you ever -- I was on September 11. I was originally planning to be -- Battery Park in New York City not far from the World Trade Center itself. But as it turned out I was in Washington DC. To meet -- members of congress about preparations for the security of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games. Colleague and I were working in the office we had in the Ronald Reagan building it was just a few blocks from the White House. Someone rushed into our office and said that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I turned on the small TV on our guest there and watched in shock as the flames and smoke erupted from the north tower. I called my wife -- She -- watched the tragedy for her TV and wondered how a plane could -- to a building in clear daylight. Then we saw the second plane crash into the second tower. These then were purposeful attacks. These were terrorist attacks. These were evil and cowardly and heinous attacks. Leaving the city I I drove towards Alexandria. The highway I was on came within a few hundred yards at the Pentagon which have been hit by them. Cars were stopped where they work and people that got now watching. In horror. I could spell burning fuel. And concrete and steel. It was a smell of war. Something I never imagined that would spell in America. In her own ways we each were overwhelmed by the enormity of the loss of life. We struggled to comprehend the magnitude of what this meant for the families. Of those have been killed. And for our own -- For our nation. For the world. For some there was also anger.