On September 11, 2001, terrorists sponsored by al Qaeda murdered 2,974 innocent Americans:

246 on the four planes (no one on board any of the hijacked aircraft survived), 2,603 in New York City in the towers and on the ground, and 125 at the Pentagon. Among the fatalities were 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters, 23 New York City Police Department officers, and 37 Port Authority Police Department officers.

In a new poll, more than 80 percent of Americans described the attacks as the most significant historical events of their lives. More than 60 percent said that they think about the attacks at least weekly. And 16 percent said that they had visited Ground Zero.

Please fly your flag today, in memory of the innocent American victims from so many ethnic backgrounds, in tribute to those who sacrificed their lives trying to save others, and in recognition that those who volunteer to risk their lives for us, both domestically and abroad, are truly engaged in a high calling.