Cord Byrd: “friends, Senators, Americans, lend me your ears. It was just 56 days ago on a day like this day, as clear as the noon…”

“friends, Senators, Americans, lend me your ears. It was just 56 days ago on a day like this day, as clear as the noon day Sun and a cloudless sky, that tragedy struck. Until September 10 we thought of national defense in terms of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that make up our military. We sought to provide them with the best training and equipment that money could buy, and when duty calls, we expect them to leave behind their families and loved ones to go into harm's way to protect our country and our citizens from aggression. Our concept of national defense has now been radically altered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. It is not just our military personnel in Afghanistan who are on the front lines, but all Americans here at home are on the front lines. This zone of conflict extends to where we live, where we work, and where we play. Judging by the horrendous loss of life in New York, our own cities are the battlefield of the 21st century.”