In remembrance of those who were lost Sept. 11, 2001 Published Sept. 11, 2012 By Brig. Gen. Kevin Jacobsen Air Force Office of Special Investigations Commander QUANTICO, Va. -- If you ask any American about Sept. 11, 2001, they'll probably be able to recount in full detail where they were, what they were doing and how they felt. As a country, we struggled to understand why someone would ever want to inflict such pain on anyone. In war, lives are lost and heroes are born in the clouds of battle many of us never see. But, make no mistake, if Sept. 11, 2001 taught us anything, it taught us that the enemy is capable of bringing the war to us. Although they took so very much from us that day, our country, strong as ever, rose up as one to take the battle back to them. We would honor those who died that fateful day by driving the terrorists back into their caves and away from our shores. The torch of liberty has never burned brighter, despite all the dishonorable and despicable efforts by terrorists across the globe. Today, we remember the men, women and children who passed away on Sept. 11, 2001. We honor the law enforcement officers, fire fighters and everyday citizens who went above and beyond to preserve life. Many of these heroes perished that day. They died striving to save the lives of people they never knew; and that's what makes America strong - the courage and resiliency of the American spirit. We will continue the good fight. Together, we will prevail over terrorism and ensure that future generations can enjoy a life that isn't defined by terror, but rather by the freedom we hold so dearly to our hearts.