As the United States approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, former Vice President Mike Pence reflected on the nation's response and the generation of Americans who have defended the country since. Pence, writing in an opinion piece, highlighted the transition from a reactive posture to one of active prevention in combating terrorism.
In the immediate aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Pence described a sense of resolve that emerged. "America resolved that we would no longer simply bring terrorists to justice after they attacked us. We would find them before they could strike, take the fight to them abroad, and build new defenses here at home," he wrote.
Prior to 9/11, Pence noted a pattern of terrorist attacks against American interests, including the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, and the 2000 USS Cole bombing. He characterized the government's response to these events as largely reactive, with security measures tightened and warnings issued, but not fundamentally shifting the strategy to prevent future attacks.
The events of September 11, 2001, marked a definitive change. Pence paid tribute to the first responders, such as firefighters and police who entered the Twin Towers, and those who attempted to regain control of hijacked aircraft over Pennsylvania.
He stated that following the attacks, young Americans enlisted in the military in large numbers, leading to deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly three million service members were deployed, with over 7,000 killed and tens of thousands wounded. Pence credited these actions with destroying terrorist sanctuaries, bringing Osama bin Laden to justice, and dismantling the ISIS caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
Beyond overseas operations, Pence also acknowledged those who serve domestically, including law enforcement officers, Border Patrol agents, and air marshals, who he said disrupt terrorist plans on the homefront. He also noted the continuation of service within families, citing children of FDNY firefighters who died on 9/11 joining the same department.
Pence emphasized that the greatest accomplishment of this generation of defenders is measured by the absence of further catastrophic terrorist attacks on the American homeland. "Not because our enemies quit trying, but because America’s defenders stopped them cold," he wrote.
He concluded by urging remembrance of the 2,977 victims of the 9/11 attacks and honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the subsequent struggle. Pence called for gratitude for those who have protected America over the past 25 years, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance.