WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today released a statement on the upcoming anniversaries of the terrorist attacks on September 11 in 2001 and 2012, remembering the men and women who lost their lives and honoring our first responders and our service members who have and continue to fight the War on Terror: 

“September 11 is a somber day of reflection for America. We pause to remember the 2,977 innocent lives lost and over 6,000 injured when terrorists carried out an attack on our homeland 15 years ago. We remember and continue to pray for the family members of all who were lost. We remember our first responders – those who ran into harm’s way to save others and those who came from around the U.S. to volunteer their services. The terrorists tried to steal our sense of security and destroy our way of life. They failed. America rose up united and moved forward together to send a signal that our freedoms cannot be stolen and our spirit cannot be broken. But this fight is far from over.

“Islamic extremists will continue to attempt to attack Americans and our interests at home and abroad.  We were reminded of this on September 11, 2012, when we lost four brave Americans from a terrorist attack on our consulate in Benghazi, Libya.  Our nation must remain vigilant against attacks by these Islamic extremists around the globe. Our first responders have responded to and prevented attacks in our homeland, and our military has been engaged in combat operations every day for the last 15 years. As our country prepares to change administrations, it’s important that we prioritize our national security, starting with the rebuilding of our military. America arose from the rubble with strength and resolve after 9/11, and we must let that strength and resolve continue to drive us today."

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