Never Forget - United We Stand

Friends,

Nineteen years ago, thousands of people prepared for work, hundreds were boarding flights, police were putting on their badge and firefighters reporting to their stations – for the last time. Nineteen years ago, Al-Qaeda terrorists robbed more than 3,000 individuals of their lives, and children of their fathers and mothers. But nineteen years later, we remember.

Last week, the entire country commemorates the fateful events that transpired on September 11, 2001. I still remember clear as day when I first heard the news the twin towers in New York City had been struck by a plane. Ironically, I was on a trip to Washington, D.C. and I was in the Capitol building with the Cabarrus and Rowan County Chambers of Commerce. After seeing the second plane hit and realizing we were under attack, I immediately stopped and prayed for the safety and well-being of those trapped in the towers and our first responders.

As the world stopped and watched the horrific events unfold, families and loved ones of those flying at the time or working in the twin towers or Pentagon waited with bated breath for any sign of life or response that they were ok.

While people ran for safety from the burning buildings, our first responders sprinted towards their finest hour. These heroes made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man and will never be forgotten. The pages of history will be filled with hero after hero who selflessly rushed into burning buildings and rubble to serve their country in one of its greatest times of need.

In the aftermath of 9/11, new heroes were also made by those who answered the call to wear our country's uniform.

I spent this year's 9/11 honoring one of those heroes at the White House, as President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne. Sgt. Maj. Payne joined the Army after the events of 9/11 out of a sense of duty to his country. On Oct. 22, 2015, in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, he saved the lives of 75 ISIS-held hostages in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. At one point during the extraction, Payne and his teammates used themselves to form a human wall so that the hostages could escape.

Now stationed at Fort Bragg with U.S. Army Special Operations Command, it is a humbling honor to represent Sgt. Maj. Payne and so many others like him in our community. Friday's ceremony at the White House was a fitting tribute to this great hero, as well as a moving reminder of those we lost on 9/11 and those who have served our country since.

That commitment to service united our country in the days, weeks and months following 9/11. When our country was tested like never before, families, friends and strangers prayed together, volunteered for military service, gave blood or helped in any way they could. Today, we are once again faced with unprecedented challenges. However, like the days following 9/11, I am optimistic about the future of our great country.

Prior to the Medal of Honor Service at the White House, I joined in a moment of silence at the U.S. Capitol Building with Republican and Democrat colleagues, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. While we don't agree on politics, it was a refreshing reminder that when we stand united, we can better our country and solve problems. As your Congressman, and in remembrance of those lost nineteen years ago, that remains my commitment to you.

Never forget,

Richard Hudson

Member of Congress