8 Patriotic Quotes To Share On 9/11

There is no country like America, and as these patriotic quotes for 9/11 make clear, there is no such thing as defeat for the United States. Even on a day of absolute terror, as was what occurred on September 11, 2001, this country was still able to pick up its pieces and reform itself into something braver, freer, and more driven than before. Take a look around, because America is pretty damn amazing.

Although our nation could have fallen apart or gone into total disarray following a terrorist attack of the size and magnitude of 9/11, America certainly did not. From the New York City firemen to the everyday civilians across the country, there was no shortage of help, prayers, and assistance from United States citizens in the days, weeks, months, and even years following the attacks.

These quotes touch on both the specifics of September 11 and how it affected America, as well as the the general spirit of pride that runs through this country. There are quite a few things to be proud of when it comes to how Americans handled the tragedy in 2001, and while it's still a heartbreaking memory, it's one that the United States has overcome.

1. "Sept. 11, 2001 seems destined to be the watershed event of our lives and the greatest test for our democracy in our lifetimes." — Lieutenant Colonel Shelton F. Leskford

2. "Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward and freedom will be defended." — President George W. Bush

3. "An attack on one is an attack on all." — General Lord Robertson

4. "We’ll have to deal with the networks. One of the ways to do that is to drain the swamp they live in. And that means dealing not only with the terrorists, but those who harbor terrorists. This will take a long, sustained effort. It will require the support of the American people as well as our friends and allies around the world." — Donald Rumsfeld

5. "We will win this struggle — not for glory, nor wealth, nor power, but for justice, for freedom, and for peace…so help us God." — Tom Harkin

6. "As a country, I think we've become more focused on what is important and on the challenges we face. Focused on our national identity. And focused on the world beyond our borders — after years of looking ever-inward, Americans are once again looking outward, in a way I haven't seen since the height of the Cold War. While no one would ever say that September 11 was in any way a good thing, these developments may ultimately prove to be healthy for a democratic nation such as ours, one that wields such great influence and power on the world stage but one that is, as we have learned in such a hard way, still vulnerable to those who hate us." — Dan Rather

7. "True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else." — Clarence Darrow

8. "The real differences around the world today are not between Jews and Arabs; Protestants and Catholics; Muslims, Croats, and Serbs. The real differences are between those who embrace peace and those who would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who cling to the past; between those who open their arms and those who are determined to clench their fists." — Bill Clinton

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