Never forget and always have courage

Fourteen years ago this morning, the inconceivable happened. Mighty America was brought to its knees by a handful of terrorists who toppled far more than two New York City skyscrapers. By annihilating the belief that on our soil we were untouchable by foreign threats, they instilled fear that remains palpable in some quarters.

We've learned a few valuable lessons in those 14 years, however.

Those of us who grew up in the shadow of Communism's red threat had a little more perspective on the 9/11 assault. Remember air-raid shelter sirens and drills? Remember leaving your classroom in orderly fashion and going to the safest place in the school building, just for practice? We knew then that two vast oceans could not guarantee eternal safety, and 9/11 provided painful proof.

We've also learned as a nation that terrorism takes many forms, that it can strike the innocent in classrooms and on campuses, in movie theaters, even at military recruiting centers. We've learned that it can often be prevented, but probably never be eliminated.

The war on terror is a financial burden that has played a major role in building a national debt of more than $18 trillion. Before the terrorists struck 14 years ago, the national debt was about a third that amount and decreasing. We've learned that the cost of fighting terrorism is exceedingly high by every meaningful measurement.

But we've also learned that the greatest enemy is one each of us can conquer or at least control. That's fear itself.

The best way to beat the terrorism of radical idealists is to continue working hard, enjoying the fruits of our labors and demonstrating every single day the limitless value of real freedom. If we steadfastly pursue peace, most antagonists will drop their weapons and choose to follow. The others? They'll have to be surgically removed from the face of the Earth.