Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2024

Speaking to the local Sons of Norway members, "The Colonel" Tom Mortenson reminded all those present that "September 11th is a day when all Americans, from across our great land should remember what happened this fateful day in 2001 when terrorist attacked our Nation."

Mortenson. one of the principal strategic planners was one of a handful or planners who planned America's response to those attacks, call for "everyone to remember 9-11."

Quoting President Bush in his address to the Nation, Mortenson repeated the words of that speech "The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong."

"On that day, America was attacked, but we came together as a people. Our political or religious views didn't matter - we became one Nation in defense of liberty," Mortenson said.

"Today, we need to rekindle that spirit and remember the nearly 3000 who died that day and the many more in our Global War on Terrorism. We need to reflect on what it means to be an American and to stand up for what makes America a beacon of freedom," Mortenson said.

Mortenson concluded urging all those present to cite the Pledge of Allegiance and work together to honor those who died in 9-11.

Mortenson called on the Sons of Norway members to join with friends and family members and "Never Forget 9-11".