    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [September 11, 2004]
    [Pages 2014-2016]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    September 11, 2004

        Good morning. This is a day of remembrance for our country. And I am
    honored to be joined at the White House today by Americans who lost so
    much in the terrible events of September the 11th, 2001, and have felt
    that loss every day since.
        Three years ago, the struggle of good against evil was compressed
    into a single morning. In the space of only 102 minutes, our country
    lost more citizens than were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Time
    has passed, but the memories do not fade.
        We remember the images of fire and the final calls of love and the
    courage of rescuers who saw death and did not flee. We remember the
    cruelty of enemies who murdered the innocent and rejoiced in our
    suffering. We remember the many good lives that ended too soon which no
    one had the right to take. And our Nation remembers the families left
    behind to carry a burden of sorrow. They have shown courage of their
    own, and with the help of

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    God's grace and with support from one another, the families of terror
    victims have shown a strength that survives all hurt. Each of them
    remains in the thoughts and prayers of the American people.
        The terrorist attacks on September the 11th were a turning point for
    our Nation. We saw the goals of a determined enemy, to expand the scale
    of their murder and force America to retreat from the world. And our
    Nation accepted a mission: We will defeat this enemy.
        The United States of America is determined to guard our homeland
    against future attacks. As the September the 11th Commission concluded,
    our country is safer than we were 3 years ago, but we are not yet safe.
        So every day, many thousands of dedicated men and women are on
    duty--as air marshals, airport screeners, cargo inspectors, border
    patrol officers, and first-responders. At the same time, Americans
    serving in the FBI and CIA are performing their daily work with
    professionalism, while we reform those agencies to see the dangers
    around the next corner. Our country is grateful to all our fellow
    citizens who watch for the enemy and answer the alarms and guard America
    by their vigilance.
        The United States is determined to stay on the offensive and to
    pursue the terrorists wherever they train or sleep or attempt to set
    down roots. We have conducted this campaign from the mountains of
    Afghanistan to the heart of the Middle East to the horn of Africa to the
    islands of the Philippines to hidden cells within our own country. More
    than three-quarters of Al Qaida's key members and associates have been
    detained or killed. We know that there is still a danger to America. So
    we will not relent until the terrorists who plot murder against our
    people are found and dealt with.
        The United States is also determined to advance democracy in the
    broader Middle East, because freedom will bring the peace and security
    we all want. When the peoples of that region are given new hope and
    lives of dignity, they will let go of old hatreds and resentments, and
    the terrorists will find fewer recruits. And as governments of that
    region join in the fight against terror instead of harboring terrorists,
    America and the world will be more secure. Our present work in Iraq and
    Afghanistan is difficult. It is also historic and essential. By our
    commitment and sacrifice today, we will help transform the Middle East
    and increase the safety of our children and grandchildren.
        Since September the 11th, the sacrifices in the war on terror have
    fallen most heavily on members of our military and their families. Our
    Nation is grateful to the brave men and women who are taking risks on
    our behalf at this hour. And America will never forget the ones who have
    fallen, men and women last seen doing their duty, whose names we will
    honor forever.
        The war on terror goes on. The resolve of our Nation is still being
    tested. And in the face of danger, we are showing our character. Three
    years after the attack on our country, Americans remain strong and
    resolute, patient in a just cause, and confident of the victory to come.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the
    White House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of this address. The National Days of Prayer and
    Remembrance and Patriot Day proclamations of September 10 are listed in
    Appendix D at the end of this volume.

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