‘Every year on 9/11 we promise to remember and never forget’

President George W. Bush stood on the rubble of the Twin Towers and grabbed a bullhorn to speak over the noise of that moment with force and clarity. President Bush’s words rang true that day: “I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.”

As Americans, all of us were united in the fight for freedom, to protect our values and our way of life, to rid the world of terrorism.

It is in the memory of those who died that day that we built monuments to their bravery. They stand as a tribute to the sacrifice and greatness of our unity and our values. Every year on 9/11 we promise to remember and never forget.

We need to remember that, more than ever, because somehow the radical mob thinks it’s now okay to destroy these monuments. While protesting is a fundamental American right, vandalism, violence and lawlessness is never acceptable.

I was heartbroken to learn the news that a band of criminals would damage the Washingtonville World Trade Center Memorial this past week. These thugs must be found and prosecuted for their crimes.

In the meantime, I’m inspired by the community members who are stepping up to protect the monument.

The radical left is about destruction with no plan to replace what they destroy with anything better.It is the prevalence of that agenda that motivated me to create my petition BringBackBail.com.

If we allow them to continue, we run the risk of losing our freedoms, our way of life and our country.

Let’s unite.

Chele Farley

Tuxedo

Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent New York’s 18th Congressional District