Gov. Perry Honors Fallen/Injured First Responders with Star of Texas Awards

Memories of 9/11 remind of us the courage of first responders
*Note - Gov. Perry frequently departs from prepared remarks.

Thank you, Christopher [Burnett]. It is an honor to be here today in the midst of a community of valor known as our first responders.

In the eight years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, this day has grown in its significance in our national culture and, appropriately, become a time to honor the members of the first responder community who continue to reflect the bravery of those firemen, policemen and paramedics who raced into the burning towers.

That premeditated attack on our homeland changed our world forever, redefining the meaning of national security, opening our eyes to the harsh realities of our world, and illustrating the unmatched importance of the men and women who bear the noble distinction, "first responder."

As we watched this tragedy unfold through news reports, Americans were stunned by the audacity of the attacks. Their ferocity and cold calculation bespoke a hatred that we could barely comprehend.

As a nation, we grieved the immense human toll, devastated by the number of lives cut short so quickly. As citizens, we were reassured and amazed at the selfless bravery of the first responder community.

Like an offensive lineman in football, first responders sometimes go unnoticed when they're doing their jobs right. In the absence of smoke and sirens or a flashing light in our rearview mirror encouraging us to move aside, first responders can become invisible as the peace they defend becomes pervasive and, before long, we take it for granted.

We may take them for granted until, of course, trouble strikes and the alarm is raised.

If anyone had been lulled into complacency by an extended period of peace and tranquility in our country, the events of eight years ago shook us awake.

Those attacks and the chaos that followed reminded us of how blessed we are to have committed peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical first responders, and federal law enforcement agents.

On that darkest of days, we saw the most dreadful side of humanity, but we also witnessed remarkable heroism.

The images are burned in our nation's conscience: hundreds of men and women, driven by courage and a sacred oath to protect, wading upstream through a river of fleeing victims to save those who could not save themselves.

Our nation wept for each of the thousands of innocent people who died that day including the 479 first responders whose first thought was not their own self-preservation, but the safety of others.

September 11th renewed our sense of appreciation for the men and women who are first to arrive at the scene of tragedy, who run into a burning house to save a child, who give life-saving medical treatment to the injured, who step into harm's way to protect the innocent.

As we mark the eighth anniversary of September 11th, I ask all Texans to pause and reflect on those who gave their lives that day.

I also ask you to remember those members of our Armed Forces who have given their lives in the global War on Terror that ensued.

Our thoughts and prayers are with their families...and with the members of our Armed Forces who, today, stand between us and those who would repeat the atrocities of that fateful day.

In this moment, I also ask Texans to recognize the courage of our first responders, because their selfless service continues to this day.

We are honored to be in the presence of so many of those brave men and women today, those who are here in person, and those who live on in the memories of their loving families, their fellow officers, and the lives of a grateful citizenry.

I am honored to stand with so many of our state's finest who regularly set aside concerns for their own safety, in order to preserve and protect the lives of their fellow citizens.

Each of us prays that we will never need your services, but, when we do, we know that our lives are in good hands.

And we thank you for your service.

I want to speak for a moment directly to those of you who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. I will never grasp the pain of your loss, but know that I speak for more than twenty four million Texans when I say, simply, "thank you and God bless you."

These words may be small comfort, but you must know just how much the people of Texas appreciate your sacrifice. You are reminded every day of your painful loss, but rest assured that the sacrifice we recognize today has given life to others, made our state a safer place, and protected countless people from similar pain.

Today, we recognize not only the sacrifices of all of our first responders, but also their heroic deeds.

We reflect on the heroism of Captain James Harlow and Firefighter Damion Hobbs of the Houston Fire Department who lost their lives battling a blaze in a residence.

Or Game Warden Teyran Patterson of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department who died saving the life of a fellow warden, Danny Tuggle.

Or Senior Corporal Norman Smith, Dallas Police Department who was gunned down by a gang member while serving a warrant.

These are not the actions of people who think first of their own safety.

Instead, these are people who not only swear an oath, but live it out in full measure of their integrity, bravery and unassailable character.

The recipients of these awards are the finest our state has to offer. They are noble patriots, selfless servants, and our brave protectors.

We take great pride in honoring them today. May God bless you, may He speed your healing, and, through you, may God continue to bless Texas.

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