Patriots and Unity
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
September 11, 2026
25 years ago, the United States of America experienced one of our most horrific tragedies. Our nation was attacked by terrorists – enemies who hate us because of what we stand for. America is the only nation founded on the principle of freedom, and those terrorists despised that fact.
In their hatred, they sought to tear us apart. They failed. In fact, their attempt backfired.
If you remember 9/11, you also remember what came next. There was a profound unity that came over our country. In the days and weeks after, the United States of America was more united than it has ever been in my lifetime.
Our nation was devastated. We were shaken to our core. But in that moment of grief and loss, we didn’t turn on each other – which was what the terrorists hoped would happen. Instead, we turned to each other. We united.
2,977 innocent lives were lost that day. Most of them didn’t sign up to give their lives for their nation; nonetheless, their deaths were not in vain. They will forever be patriots. Though it’s a small solace to their loved ones who lost friends and family in an instant, their sacrifice brought our nation closer together.
In those days, it didn’t matter if you were a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or something else entirely. We were all Americans first and foremost. And that’s how it should be!
It’s a shame that it took such a tragedy to unify our nation. And it’s equally a shame that our nation’s unity has since diminished.
Our nation’s very name is a statement of unity. We are the United States of America. Our Founding Fathers pulled together a group of people from very different geographical and cultural backgrounds and united them, not on heritage or history, but on values – namely, on freedom.
In the years since, 9/11 has been given a new name: Patriot Day. A patriot is someone who loves their country. For Americans, that doesn’t mean loving any one culture or heritage. It means loving the foundational values that our nation was built on.
As we commemorate 25 years since the horrific 9/11 attacks, we must remember those values. We must remember our freedoms. And we must look inside ourselves and see how we can be better examples of American patriotism.
I will leave you all with this challenge: resolve to focus on what unites us, not what divides us. Focus on interacting with your friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and even strangers on the street with civility and respect.
And don’t do it for yourself – or because I asked you to.
Do it for the 2,977 patriots who perished 25 years ago. Do it for the brave first responders who charged into those towers and afterwards into the rubble. Do it for the men and women who gave their lives in the War on Terror.
Let’s unite around the principles of civility and freedom so that we can pass those values down to our kids and our grandkids. If we do that, then we will surely keep South Dakota – and our entire nation – strong, safe, and free.
God bless America.
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