A Message from President Caldwell on Patriot Day

On September 11, 2001, our country was forever changed. In the span of a few short hours, the world witnessed both the worst of human depravity and the very best of our American spirit. On that day, nearly 3,000 of our fellow citizens lost their lives in a cowardly attack on our nation. But in the days that followed, the world also saw the resolve of America-ordinary men and women became extraordinary heroes. First responders rushed into burning buildings, civilians worked side by side to help one another, and our armed forces stood ready to defend our freedoms with unmatched valor and selflessness.

As we mark Patriot Day this year, it is more important than ever that we continue to educate the youth of America about what happened on that fateful day, and the significance of the days that followed. It is critical that we preserve the memory of that moment in our history-not only to honor those we lost, but to inspire a sense of duty and patriotism in the generations that follow. Here at Georgia Military College, we are uniquely positioned to lead this effort. Through our core values of "Duty, Honor, Country" and "Character Above All," we instill in our students the very principles that guided the heroes of 9/11 and the years of service and sacrifice that followed.

As is tradition at Georgia Military College, this week we have planned a series of events to educate our students to understand the significance of 9/11, to inspire patriotism, and to foster the unity that our country so desperately needs. We began the week with a solemn flag-raising ceremony at the Smith Family Plaza, adjacent to the NewDay USA Center of Leadership at Georgia Military College. This plaza, like the center itself, stands as a testament to our institutional commitment to leadership, character, and service. As we raised the six American flags, it was not just an act of remembrance but a declaration of our enduring values as an institution and a nation.

As we move through this week of reflection and learning, we will honor the lives lost on September 11 and in the Global War on Terror that followed, as we do every year. We will ensure that every student at Georgia Military College and GMC Preparatory School understands the gravity of that moment in history and their own responsibility to serve, lead, and strengthen our nation. Patriotism is not a passive sentiment. It is an active commitment to the ideals that define us as Americans-freedom, justice, and unity.

Today, more than ever, our country needs citizens who understand that leadership is rooted in service, that honor is earned through action, and that character must guide all that we do. At Georgia Military College, we are committed to doing our part to raise up that next generation of leaders. Let us never forget the lessons of 9/11 and let us continue to build a future worthy of the sacrifice made by so many in the defense of our great nation.

God bless you, God bless our students, and God bless the United States of America.

-Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV