Every American will forever feel the impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks. It is a hallow feeling that still resides in the hearts of us all. In the brief moments it took to execute the attacks, our lives changed forever; we realized our country was not impervious to outsiders, nor were we impervious to pain. It was a day that shook us to our core so deeply that we still hear echoes of the screams in the streets. The tragedy was insurmountable; in a matter of hours all of our lives changed forever. Though nothing will ever be the same, we can move forward bravely, toward a better future.
Though the attacks were traumatizing for New York and the rest of the country, we know the American spirit is stronger than anything the country is put through. This was evident hours after the attack when volunteers from all over New York and several other states flooded the WTC sites searching for survivors around the clock. They would not give up on fellow Americans, knowing there was a chance they were alive. In the years that have followed, our spirit has waxed and waned; it is difficult fighting this fight, but we continue to do so. We must, in memory and in honor of the victims that fell that day.
Though we sometimes feel like giving up, to give up would be to let the terrorists win. They aimed to bring us to our knees that day, and keep us there. While they may have momentarily succeeded thanks to our sheer shock and grief, we cannot let them win for good. When faced with such adversity, even something as undeniably earth shattering as September 11, America does not quit. We pull together, united as one nation, and show our enemies that though they may have one the battle they will not win the war. Whenever we feel like giving up, we can recall the exhausted faces of the firefighters and ground zero, tired, but unable to leave without searching every pile of rubble. We can remember the stories of WTC employees returning to the building, looking for co-workers who had yet to make it out alive. We can remember the families, who must live every day without a father, or a sister, or a son because they perished in the attacks. We can remember all of this and know, it is our spirit, and our bravery that will help stop it from ever happening again.
New York, and the rest of country, remain forever changed by the attacks. We can never go back to the blissful naivety we lived before watching so many lose their lives. Even now, many of us still deny this change, or do not want it to happen. However, instead of being different, we can simply be better. We will not be “changed”; we will be stronger. We will see the grieving faces of the victim’s families and know nobody in America will ever be impacted by something so tragic or unexpected again. We will be prepared, and we will protect our own.
Nothing could have prepared us. New York was hit the hardest, but the entire country grieved that day. The attackers believed they had the upper hand, and for a moment they did. However, what they did not know, is that America always pulls together, coming back stronger than what it has gone through. We do not let anybody keep us on our knees, and next time, we will be prepared. Never again will a mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife, daughter, or son, lose somebody to something like this. Nothing will ever be the same, but we can move forward bravely and toward a better a future.
- General Purpose: To discuss what the event meant to New York and the rest of the country
- At the end of my speech, the audience will remember how they felt that day, be reignited with patriotism for their country, and contemplate how quickly things can change.
- Central Ideas/Thesis Statement: Nothing will ever be the same, but we can move forward bravely and toward a better a future.
a. everything changed instantly, we realized we were not impenetrable.
b. Nothing will ever be the same, but we can move forward bravely and toward a better future.
B. Main point: The American Spirit is stronger than the attacks launched against us
a. Though it has been difficult, must keep trying.
b. In the memory of the victims.
C. Main point: To give up would be to let the terrorists win.
a. America does not quit
b. When faced with adversity, America pulls together.
D. Main point: New York will never be the same. America will never be the same.
a. Instead of being different, or changed, we are new. We will be better. We will be stronger.
b. We will see the grieving faces of the victim’s families and know nobody in this country will ever be impacted by something so tragic or unexpected again. We will be prepared.
E. Closure: Nothing could have prepared us. New York was hit the hardest, but the entire country grieved that day.
a. However, this country is stronger than what it is put through.
b. We will not let anybody keep us on our knees.
c. We will be prepared.
d. Nothing will ever be the same, but we can move forward bravely and toward a better a future.
