September 11, 2022

Today is the 21st anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City; on the Pentagon just outside of Washington, D.C.; and on the plane that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attacks killed 2,977 people — more than 400 were police officers, firefighters and first responders. September 11, 2001 — 9/11— stands as the deadliest foreign attack on United States soil since the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Let us honor the victims, the heroism of the first responders and those that made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Most of us can remember exactly where we were when that first plane hit the Twin Towers—despite not recalling what we were doing last week.  While husband Robert was traveling for business to Washington DC that morning, I was organizing a cyber security event with Secureworks, McAfee and the FBI at The Omni Hotel in Atlanta – adjacent to CNN Center.  During our breakfast seminar, suddenly all of the FBI agents abruptly left our seminar as their pagers and cell phones went off with alerts as to what was unfolding in New York.  My CEO asked what is going on, why are they all leaving – we had no idea as to what was occurring, beyond someone said a plane hit the World Trade Center.

I made my way to CNN’s now crowded lobby only to see the North Tower of the World Trade Center on fire and confirming that a plane had hit it. I then realized that Robert was in the air but did not know if he was traveling on Delta or United as the business trip was booked last minute. I called Delta and was on the phone with a customer service agent asking if my husband was in the air at that time and if she could see his plane on the radar.  I was explaining to her where I was and what I was watching.  Then the second plane hit the South Tower.  In a total panic and not sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me, I ask again if she can see the radar.   She calmly told me she did not have access to this information, as she did not work in the tower.  I thanked her for her help and started to obsessively call Robert’s cell phones.  At first my calls went into voicemail, but it changed – it rang and rang.  He was landing at this point and had begun checking voicemail messages on his phone and office.  After putting me in voicemail several times, he finally answered! I was so relieved to hear his voice, knowing he was not on either of the planes that had crashed into the towers.  Shortly after we hung up the phone, another plane crashed into the Pentagon.  Knowing he had just landed in DC, realizing he often stays near the Pentagon, I called again to check on Robert, his sister at the time who lives in Roslyn, Virginia at the time and friends.  I wanted Robert to come home immediately from DC, but he refused and thought it was unsafe to immediately leave DC – based on reports on the radio – which all turned out to be false.  I was an obsessive caller that day, but grateful that I had my husband, whom I had been married to just over a year, would come home shortly.  He drove back on September 12th with several stranded coworkers from Atlanta that were in also DC on business, just like he was that day.

Some of us also have very personal memories of family or friends impacted by the attacks. The stories of those who died or lost loved ones have become a part of our shared history.  But at the distance of over two decades with many of our young ones not even being born yet in 2001, what else do we remember from that day? What are the things that still stand out and command our attention twenty-one years later?

One thing that stands out for me is how our communities — across the country — came together. With little known about the organization or people behind the attacks, we united to care for one another, to support one another and to face uncertainty together. On 9/11, we learned the meaning of the word indivisible. Perhaps it is even more important now for “We the People” to recall that as recently as 9/11 we knew what it was as a country to come together and to confront the things that might divide or destroy us. Because sadly, Joe Biden, who campaigned on unity is completely incapable of Making America Great Again and villainizes those that do.

As America observes the 21st anniversary of the deadliest attack on U.S. soil, security experts and current and former government officials say this is the first Sept. 11 commemoration to face the reality that the war on terror has taken measurable steps backward. We cannot ignore that the Biden Administration has enabled an unprecedented number of illegal migrants with terrorism ties to cross the porous southern border.  We also have seen a resurgence of an Afghanistan safe haven for Al-Qaeda where ISIS terrorists have increased the danger to Americans.

As I reflect on this day after having the opportunity to have dinner last week and attending the Fulton County Republican Women Luncheon with the 40th Commissioner of the New York Police Department Bernard Kerik, I have come to realize that history is still being made each day — by all of us. By the way we live our lives. By the way we conduct ourselves in difficult times. By how willing we are to put the needs of others before our own. By how well we love each other.

9/11 is forever engraved in our history. But how we respond to its impact is still being written, 21 years later. Now it is our history to make.  Let’s all of us “Live History in the Front Row” together by volunteering as poll watchers and voting in record numbers to save our country, Georgia and to #VoteDeKalbRed.   Thank you.

With Best Regards,
Marci McCarthy

Chairman, DeKalb Republican Party

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P.S. It’s true our party is seeing huge enthusiasm, but we only win in November if everyone gets involved. Team Up with Team Herschel on September 14th! Meet and Greet for Jenine Milum on September 25th!. Join us the DeKalb GOP Breakfast on 9/17 and Get Out the Vote for Herschel Walker featuring Jenine Milum with Turning Point USA on September 24th  And be sure to sign-up for the Advanced Poll Watching Training on September 11th and October 9th!  Please see below for the event details!!

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