The action we take and the decisions we make in this decade will have consequences far into this century. If America shows weakness and uncertainty, the world will drift toward tragedy. That will not happen on my watch.
George W. BushRead
Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the enduring memory and bravery exhibited after the tragic events of September 11th.
George W. Bush's quote emphasizes the significance of remembrance in the face of tragedy, especially highlighting the courage of first responders who sacrificed their lives and the ongoing grief experienced by families affected by the events. It serves as a reminder that even as time moves on, the memories of those lost and the lessons learned from such events must be honored and retained in the collective memory of the nation.
Themes
RemembranceCourageTragedySacrificeGriefHonor
In practice
Example use cases
During a memorial service, it is poignant to quote this to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11.
More from George W. Bush
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Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.
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Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.
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We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions - by abandoning every value except the will to power - they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way, to where it ends: in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies.
George W. BushRead
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