Terror in London

"To all those who stand beside us, we thank you."

This from a British naval officer serving here as part of a military exchange program. He wrote all of us at the command this simple and eloquent expression of gratitude after reading Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's statement on yesterday's bombings in London, which I'll use to close this post.

This simple thank you made me think about how it felt on the afternoon of September 11, 2001 when I watched on CNN as the Marching Band of the Queen's Own Guard played the Star Spangled Banner for the first time in the history of the Changing of the Guard. I had spent much of the day directing a part of the security efforts at the base where I was stationed, overwhelmed by the sense that as Americans, we were very much alone in facing a remorseless and nearly invisible enemy. The Queen's simple gesture of solidarity removed that feeling entirely.

I did not know it then, of course, but I had friends and former shipmates who were among the dead and wounded in the Pentagon. Most of us in this country lost someone, or knew someone who was wounded. We all know someone who knew someone personally affected by the attacks that day.

It struck me that the UK has a smaller population than we do, and though fewer deaths and injuries occurred in London yesterday than in New York and Washington and Pennsylvania on 9/11, I wondered about the relative impact of the attacks yesterday. It's hard to find real numbers of wounded from 9/11, but in terms of the number of people personally affected, yesterday's bombing is on a par with 9/11.

Watching reports from the British rescue workers searching for survivors amid the underground wreckage, I am reminded of the episode of The West Wing entitled "Isaac and Ishmael", in which Rob Lowe says that in all of history, terrorism has never succeeded at anything other than solidifying the resolve of its targets.

As a young nation, we haven't any ceremonies that compare with the Changing of the Guard's 500-year history, so we can't offer anything as monumentally symbolic as Queen Elizabeth II's expression of sympathy and solidarity that evening. All we have are our actions.

As Secretary Rumsfeld wrote, "This morning, the civilized world watched with concern as the people of London saw the face of violence and brutality. We offer our deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones and to those who were wounded.

"Too often the global struggle against violent extremists is discussed in a context that can distract from the harsh reality that its victims are innocent mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, and neighbors we see and work with every day. Images from London have shown faces filled with tears and shock. Such faces are sadly familiar to us here in America. However, reports from London are already telling of calm passengers, compassionate strangers, and courageous rescuers. And that too is familiar -- the grace and humanity that contrasts vividly with the hatred and violence of terrorists.

"The London attacks have a special resonance for the American people -- for America has no stronger or closer ally in the world than Great Britain. We are bound together by a common heritage, a common language, and a deeply shared commitment to freedom. As President Bush indicated earlier this morning, the United States will stand with the British people with unflinching resolve.

"Though it is not yet known with certainty precisely who is responsible, we do know terrorists' intentions. They strike without warning and without regard for human life in the hope that they can frighten and intimidate free people -- to change our way of life. And they won't stop until their side or our side has prevailed.

"But if these terrorists thought they could intimidate the people of a great nation, they picked the wrong people and the wrong nation. For generations, tyrants, fascists, and terrorists have sought to carry out their violent designs upon the British people only to founder upon its unrelenting shores.

"Before long, I suspect that those responsible for these acts will encounter British steel. Their kind of steel has an uncommon strength. It does not bend or break.

"The British have learned from history that this kind of evil must be confronted. It cannot be appeased. Our two countries understand well that once a people give in to terrorists' demands, whatever they are, their demands will grow.

"The British people are determined and resolute. And I know the people of the
United States are proud to stand at their side."

I certainly am.