September 11th: A Day of Remembrance and Resolve

This morning, I joined fellow residents at the Oak Ridge 9/11 ceremony—a moving and dignified tribute to the lives lost on that fateful day 24 years ago. The gathering was a somber reminder that we must never forget the nearly 3,000 souls taken, including the extraordinary number of first responders who ran toward danger with courage that defies comprehension. Their sacrifice is etched into the heart of our nation.

As we stood in silence, I was struck by how 9/11 continues to shape our collective identity—not just through grief, but through resilience. We remember not only the horror, but the unity that followed. In the face of unimaginable loss, Americans came together. We rebuilt, we recommitted to our values, and we vowed to protect the freedoms that define us. That spirit of unity is something we must continue to nurture, especially in times of division.

Yesterday, that sense of national unity was shaken again.

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative voice and founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated while speaking to students at Utah Valley University. The attack—believed to be a targeted sniper shooting from a rooftop—was swift, calculated, and devastating. Charlie was just 31 years old. He dedicated his life to engaging young Americans in civic discourse, often in the very places where ideas are meant to be debated, not silenced by violence.

His death is a chilling reminder that political violence has no place in our republic. We must condemn it unequivocally, and we must recommit to the principles of free speech, civil debate, and mutual respect—even when we disagree.

As we reflect on 9/11 and mourn the loss of Charlie Kirk, let us remember: America is strongest when we stand together. Not in uniformity, but in shared purpose. In honoring the fallen, we must also protect the living—by fostering a culture where ideas are met with dialogue, not destruction.