September 11 is a day that will live in the hearts and memories of Americans for generations. Many of us remember exactly where we were that morning. Some of you were in the United States; others were living abroad, watching in disbelief as the news unfolded.
For me, that day remains deeply personal. I was working with a consulting firm that had employees at the Pentagon and in New York City, just two buildings from the World Trade Center.
Like so many Americans, I was stunned by the reports and then devastated by the images that began appearing on television and across every media outlet. The loss was unimaginable.
Today, we remember the 2,996 people murdered in the attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as the thousands of first responders, survivors, and community members who have died in the years since from illnesses and trauma connected to the World Trade Center disaster.
As we reflect on the 25 years since that terrible day, we should also recognize the trials our nation has endured: two decades of war, a global pandemic, economic crises, and growing political division. Through it all, America has survived because generations of Americans have refused to give up on the ideals of democracy, justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
But today, those ideals are being tested again.
We are facing political extremism unlike anything many of us have experienced in our lifetimes. The threat of authoritarianism is real, and it demands a response from every American who believes in democracy. We cannot afford to be silent, disengaged, or complacent.
Having spent time at Ground Zero while working with the NYPD, I know that moments of crisis reveal who we are. They remind us that we are stronger when we stand together. Now, more than ever, Americans at home and abroad must unite and fight back—with our voices, our energy, and above all, our votes.
Your vote represents the light of America. It is a declaration that democracy matters. It is a commitment to justice, the rule of law, and the belief that every person deserves a fair voice in our future.
Now more than ever, your vote counts.
Now more than ever, we need your help ensuring that every eligible American is registered and prepared to vote in this election. Please get involved. Contact me, your local chapter, or your precinct to learn how you can help with phone banking, events, voter outreach, or email campaigns.
Here in Spain, our American community continues to grow. The most recent census identified more than 42,000 Americans living throughout the country. They are in every region of Spain, and each one is a potential voter who may need help registering or requesting a ballot.
Please encourage every American you know to visit votefromabroad.org to register, request their ballot, and make sure their vote is counted.
The midterm elections are here. Voting season is here.
Let us honor those we lost on September 11 not only with remembrance, but with action. Let us protect the democracy they believed in. Let us organize, vote, and win the Congress and the Senate.
Let’s go. Let’s stand together. Let’s win.
Chair,
Andrew A. Anderson, PMP
DAES