Never Forget: “All that many could hear, was God’s terrible silence” – Bush

Former President George W. Bush made an appearance at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

During his speech he shed light on the horrors and scale of the destruction, but at the same time highlighted the bravery and kindness of Americans.

From first responders to the average American, all were part of the rescue efforts and lost their lives or loved ones in the process.

They helped each other and came together stronger than ever in the fight against the enemy.

“Twenty years ago, we all found in different ways [and] different places, but all at the same moment. That our lives will be changed forever. The World was loud with carnage and sirens, and then quiet with missing voices that would never be heard again,” former President Bush said in a speech.

“These lives remain precious to our country and infinitely precious to many of you. Today, we remember your loss. We share your sorrow, and we honor the men and women you have loved so long and so well,” he added.

“For those too young to recall that clear September day. It is hard to describe the mix of feelings we experienced. There was horror at the scale of destruction and awe at the bravery and kindness that rose to meet it. There was shock at the audacity of evil and gratitude for the heroism and decency that opposed it. In the sacrifice of the first responders and the mutual aid of strangers, in the solidarity of grief and grace. The actions of the enemy revealed the spirit of a people, and we were proud of our wounded nation,” he said.

He also honored the “memories of the passengers and crew of Flight 93.”

“All that many could hear, was God’s terrible silence. There are many who still struggle with a lonely pain that cuts deep within, and [in] those fateful hours we learned other lessons as well. We saw that Americans were vulnerable but not fragile. That they possess a core of strength that survives the worst that life can bring,” he further added.

“We learned that bravery is more common than we imagined. Emerging with sudden splendor in the face of death. We vividly felt how every hour with our loved ones was a temporary and holy gift, and we found that even the longest days end,” he concluded.

He also highlighted how far Americans today have got from each other. Saying that every disagreement turns into an argument which then turns into a clash of cultures, and that politics now appeals to anger and resentment.

He added that he’s just telling what he’s seen and comes with no explanations or solutions, but he also saw Americans instinctively help each other out on America’s day of trial and grief, and “that is the America [he] knows.”

“When it comes to the unity of America, those days seem distant from our own. Malign force seems at work in our common life, that turns every disagreement into an argument, and every argument into a clash of cultures. So much of our politics has become a naked appeal to anger, fear and resentment. That leaves us worried about our nation and our future together. I come without explanations or solutions. I can only tell you what I’ve seen. On America’s day of trial and grief, I saw millions of people instinctively grab for a neighbor’s hand, and rally to the cause of one another. That is the America I know.” – Former President George W. Bush.