and that it is possible in america. so moments from now we will leave this hallowed place, still carrying with us the pain of this loss, this tremendous loss and still the future will continue to unfold. we will face new challenges, challenges that we could not have seen 20 years ago. we will seize opportunities that were at one time unimaginable and we know that what lies ahead is not certain, it is never certain, it has never been. but i know this, if we do the hard work of working together as americans, if we remain
jeffrey p. walz, fdny, ladder 9. although i never got the privilege to meet you, so many people tell me that i remind them of you in so many ways, and i m so honored to have your name as my middle name. we love and miss you dearly. bill: god bless. names continue here. i think, dana, for so many young americans this is about, quite honestly, learning about pearl harbor, a day when america was attacked in december of 1941 that cast us into a war at that point. the comparison is apt when you consider the past 20 years. the names go on and on, and we will have another moment here in new york in about 20 minutes or
talking about fellow americans. and the gentleman with us now has done that times i d say a million, but it s more like dana: infinity. [laughter] bill: and that is frank siller, tunnel to towers, who we ve gotten to know very well. your youngest brother, steven siller, was off that day on a tuesday morning over there on staten island. he grabbed his equipment, ran through the tunnel, and that was the last time anyone saw him. his name is etched forever in the south tower on the western side of ground zero here today. and you, my friend, have changed the lives of thousands and thousands. thank you. you re welcome. and the truth of the matter is stephen inspired his older
cause of one another. that is the america i know. [applause] at a time when religious bigotry might have flowed freely, i saw americans reject prejudice. that is the nation i know. [applause] at a time when nativism could have stirred hatred and violence against people perceived as outsiders, i saw americans reaffirm their welcome to immigrants and refugees. that is the nation i know. [applause] at a time when some viewed the rising generation as individualistic and decadent, i saw young people embrace an ethic of service and rise to selfless action. that is the nation i know.
of course, we pray for their families, so many who have experienced loss because of their sacrifice and efforts. for them, we are so thankful. bill: david beemer, thank you for giving us your time. and thank you for giving america your brave son todd dana: absolutely, sir. thank you. will: god bless. thank you for the opportunity and thank you to the wonderful americans at cashmere. dana: absolutely, thank you. bill: please give our best to peggy and the rest of your family. david beemer there. will do, thank you. bill: you see first lady thank you, sir laura bush there along with the 43rd president, and dana, i think you just put your finger on it. he chose to speak here today for a reason. dana: yes, and now this is the speech i ve been waiting for, so we will let the president take the stage and give him our full