An Open Letter from Janet Napolitano

Every year, Americans across our country pause to remember the thousands of lives lost on September 11, 2001, including the many law enforcement and first responders who sacrificed their own lives to save others.

September 11th was a day of sorrow and tragedy, but also a day of heroism and unity. Ten years later, we are still inspired by the police officers, fire fighters, and emergency personnel who rushed toward the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania to rescue others in need.

Many of you were part of this effort.  Some of you lost family members, colleagues and friends.  But all of you played — and continue to play — a critical role in helping our country recover, rebuild, and emerge even stronger after 9/11.

America is more secure than we were a decade ago. We have bounced back from the worst attacks ever on our soil, and have made progress on every front to protect ourselves. We are also smarter about the kind of threats we face, and how best to deal with them.  We have used this knowledge to make our nation and communities more resilient, not only to terrorist attacks, but also to threats and disasters of all kinds, while safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Americans.

At the Department of Homeland Security, we believe that homeland security begins with hometown security; it begins in the cities and communities where law enforcement and first responders work every day to maintain vigilance, enhance preparedness, and respond to threats and disasters.

And that is why we have been working hard to get tools, information, and resources out of Washington, D.C. and into your communities, where it can be used to strengthen state and local capabilities, enhance preparedness, and help all of us meet the shared responsibility of securing our nation.  

We all play a role in keeping America safe.  Today, I am proud to pay tribute to the brave men and women of our law enforcement and first responder communities who protect Americans everyday on the frontlines of these homeland security efforts.  As we reflect on this 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I want to thank you for your continued service and sacrifice.  We appreciate all that you do to support homeland and hometown security.

Janet Napolitano
Secretary of Homeland Security