Young and old unite to mourn  the dead and  support the living at the Pentagon. 
God bless America. Land that I love.

"Let every nation know,
whether it wishes us well or ill,
that we shall pay any price,
bear any burden,
meet any hardship,
support any friend,
oppose any foes,
to assure the survival and success of liberty.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

The last month has taught me many things about myself, the people around me, and the country in which we live.

Above the fear and grief, I have been reminded how much I love this land. Americans are truly a caring people.  In the midst of the terror attacks, people have opened their hearts, their hands and their checkbooks to help those in need. People became a little kinder and a bit softer with each other after 
the tragedy.

America is a welcoming nation by design. Since the 1600's, my ancestors have been living on this continent pursuing the dream of freedom and peace. Some came by brig with the first Marylanders, 
some came by steamer past the Statue of Liberty. Some came first  and then paid for the voyage of those they left behind. The quest for freedom has brought  many people to our shores.

But all traffic does not go through here. 
Those who come to harm are not welcome 
and will be stopped. We will not allow terror 
to rule our lives. For some of our ancestors the cost of freedom was a ship passage. For some, they paid for freedom with their lives in war. On September 11, 2001, we were again shocked back to the reality that freedom is not free as we watched the 
slaughter of innocence. 
We will not forget.
We will stand and we will stand united. 
We will not fall and we will not fail.