State Senator Eric Berthel
State Senator Eric Berthel
Chief Deputy Republican Leader
Eric Berthel was elected to his fifth term representing the 32nd Senate District in 2024. He is the Republican Ranking Member on the legislature’s Banking, Education, and Executive & Legislative Nominations Committees. He is also a co-chair of the Legislative Internship Committee and serves on the Appropriations Committee and the legislature’s newly formed Select Committee on Special Education.
Eric is extensively committed to public school education and ensuring that we are always doing what is in the best interest of the children of Connecticut. He has also been recognized for his pro-business/small business advocacy and his support of important initiatives in health care, banking, and law enforcement.
Today marks the passage of 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001. That tragic morning began like any other, with so many of us waking up to a remarkably clear blue sky, getting ready for work, taking children to school, and going about their day. As a first responder who was in lower Manhattan moments after the towers collapsed, time has dulled the pain of this day, but will never diminish the memories, horror, fear and sorrow we all experienced.
What took place 25 years ago today was unthinkable and unimaginable, as we collectively watched in horror and fear as our nation and world was changed forever. We lost loved ones, family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. But in the spirit of resolve of what makes us Americans, in that same moment, as these horrific events unfolded, we made a forever promise to each other, to the past and to the future:
TO NEVER FORGET.
Later on the evening of 9/11, President George W. Bush addressed the nation. He said “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. NONE OF US WILL EVER FORGET THIS DAY.”
For those of us who were here, who are old enough to remember, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 is a day NONE OF US WILL EVER FORGET. Of the many innocent people who lost their lives 25 years ago today, they included two of my own cousins, a Port Authority police officer and a New York City firefighter. Rest in peace, boys. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
Today marks the passage of 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001. That tragic morning began like any other, with so many of us waking up to a remarkably clear blue sky, getting ready for work, taking children to school, and going about their day. As a first responder who was in lower Manhattan moments after the towers collapsed, time has dulled the pain of this day, but will never diminish the memories, horror, fear and sorrow we all experienced.
What took place 25 years ago today was unthinkable and unimaginable, as we collectively watched in horror and fear as our nation and world was changed forever. We lost loved ones, family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. But in the spirit of resolve of what makes us Americans, in that same moment, as these horrific events unfolded, we made a forever promise to each other, to the past and to the future:
TO NEVER FORGET.
Later on the evening of 9/11, President George W. Bush addressed the nation. He said “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. NONE OF US WILL EVER FORGET THIS DAY.”
For those of us who were here, who are old enough to remember, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 is a day NONE OF US WILL EVER FORGET. Of the many innocent people who lost their lives 25 years ago today, they included two of my own cousins, a Port Authority police officer and a New York City firefighter. Rest in peace, boys. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
As we continue to move forward through time, we must also continue to make it our priority to ensure that the generations that come after us NEVER FORGET what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. That they continue to honor the innocent who died, that they continue to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others, that they NEVER FORGET what happened on this tragic and terrible day in American history and that they NEVER FORGET who cowardly attacked our nation and the reasons why they did so.
Through memorial services and memorial sites across the U.S. and within the 32nd Senate District, and for as long as we have the ability, it is incumbent upon each of us teach future generations to NEVER FORGET. The reality is that someday, all of us here now will be gone. But if we uphold our responsibility to teach this obligation to NEVER FORGET, on the 100th year of remembrance, in the year 2101, our descendants will stand at these memorials and honor those, from a century ago, who lost their lives, those who served and those who taught them to NEVER FORGET.
This is our responsibility to NEVER FORGET.
May God bless you all and may God Bless the United States of America.