24 Years. Never Forgotten. Evil Still Thrives, Nonetheless.

“Never Forget.”

Millions of people swore with those words after the horrific attack on America, our values, and civilization itself. And, for those of us who were alive and aware, for the most part, we have not forgotten. 

Even with all the callouses we have developed over the years, and the cynicism we have acquired as we have seen our government become morally depraved–lying about, seemingly, everything–we still remember what was taken from us, and what the heroes who ran into danger gave us. 

They are the best of us, and a reminder that when needed, there are men who will face near-certain death to save their fellow human beings. 

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pic.twitter.com/qOpxB8TEnO

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 11, 2025

There are millions of extremists who hate what America stands for. It is not quite what people say–that they hate us for our freedoms–because I don’t think that the Islamists (or Communists) think in quite those terms. I think the hatred is broader and deeper than that. Yes, they hate our freedoms, but most of all because our success as a nation stems from those freedoms and the Judeo-Christian values that undergird them. 

It’s not merely the political principles that enrage them. These are people who cannot conceive of a Constitution as a binding document. They are totalitarians to the core–they must not only control what you do, but what you think. In America, at least in the America that still believes in our founding principles, what you think is your business, as long as you obey the laws and don’t harm others. 

Totalitarianism aims to create an entire reality, and to do so totalitarians must control your very soul. 

🇺🇸 NOW — The President and First Lady join a moment of silence at the Pentagon to honor those lost. pic.twitter.com/v2t9OxAmBu

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 11, 2025

There is a movement in America that, unfortunately, looks back on 9/11 and agrees with ISIS and Al Qaeda, if not in the particulars of the ideology, then in the belief that American and Western ideals of human autonomy of thought must be crushed. They call it “decolonization,” or Critical Theory, or “Democratic Socialism,” but whatever the name, the totalitarian nature is the same. 

That is the root of the support for Hamas we see coming from the left. What the totalitarian left and the Islamists share is a common hatred of Western civilization–and it is our duty to defend that civilization because it is good and Godly. 

This is the perfect distillation of the left in 2025. This is why you see BLM endorsing Hamas and why you see Palestine flags waving at anti-ICE riots. “Intersectionality” reigns over everything. Every issue is linked, and what links them is a sense of grievance and the desire to… pic.twitter.com/jpxEW16Aku

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 10, 2025

As with all revolutionary movements, diverse haters come together to fight the common enemy, only to fall out and kill each other as well. But, as with all revolutionary movements, killing is an integral part of the strategy. 

President Trump is honoring the fallen of 9/11 today, as many of us are in our own way. He has personal experience with being targeted for believing the “wrong” things and for defending America. Charlie Kirk died due to, ultimately, the love of country and of God. 

We cannot forget what we are up against, but we should also remember that the least successful of our responses to 9/11 were the military strikes. Tactically, our armed forces were masterful. As in Vietnam, we won every battle because of the bravery, skill, and dedication of our soldiers. 

🚨 BEAUTIFUL: Secretary of War Hegseth honors Charlie Kirk during his speech at the Pentagon

“The life, example, and even death of Christ follower and American patriot Charlie Kirk give me hope. Sheer courage, no matter the arena.”

“Charlie, we love you. We know that you have… pic.twitter.com/tiCxPbmU1m

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 11, 2025

“The life, example, and even death of Christ follower and American patriot Charlie Kirk give me hope. Sheer courage, no matter the arena.”

“Charlie, we love you. We know that you have heard the Lord’s words: well done, good and faithful servant. Full heart, clear eyes.”

“Like those on 9/11, he will NEVER be forgotten.”

But after two decades, Afghanistan is at least as bad as it was in 2001. Wiping out Al Qaeda was justified and necessary, but totalitarianism remained.

In contrast, the site of the old World Trade Center has not only been revived, but also improved. We built something better and stronger and more beautiful, because that is America. 

One World Trade Center stands 1776 feet tall, a defiant symbol of our nation’s history. 

A halo forms on the wall of the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial in Liberty State Park as the sun rises behind lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York City #NYC #newyork #NewYorkCity #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/1cFyuOWCaF

— Gary Hershorn (@GaryHershorn) September 11, 2025

Righteous anger has to be harnessed in such a way that it motivates us to strengthen our country. Yes, the teachers, professors, and doctors who celebrated Charlie Kirk’s death must be fired and made examples of–that is a defense of civilization, most especially because these people are “thought leaders” who shape the culture. 

But civilizations harness their anger and turn it into resolve. Irrational anger is the enemy of civilization. 

After the Boston Massacre, John Adams defended the British soldiers who fired on the crowd. He was their lawyer, which took guts for a man who aspired and became a leader of a nation. 

“I am pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/RGdyImmNJZ

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 11, 2025

He did so because he believed that civilization demanded to be defended even when it is most tried. 

He became the second President of the United States, right after George Washington. 

On this 24th anniversary of 9/11, it is right that we remember the victims, renew our hatred of the enemies of civilization, and reinforce our commitment to defending it in civilized ways.