Every September, when the anniversary of 9/11 approaches, I find myself remembering not only where I was on that day but what it came to mean for my life and for our nation. The images of firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and everyday Americans running toward danger while others fled will never leave me. Their heroism in those moments set the standard for what it means to serve something greater than yourself.

For me, service has always been at the core of who I am. I earned the title of United States Marine at Parris Island in 1993, and for more than 20 years I had the honor of wearing the uniform. My journey took me from standing watch as a young Military Police patrolman, to shaping recruits as a Drill Instructor, to leading Marines in combat, and later to caring for wounded warriors and their families.

In 2004, during my first deployment to Iraq, I was severely wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device in the Al Anbar Province. That single moment changed everything. What followed was 533 days of recovery—surgery after surgery, endless rehab sessions, and moments where I was forced to confront the very real possibility that my career as a Marine was over.

But giving up was never an option. My determination to return to my Marines carried me through the darkest days of recovery. In time, I was able to reenlist and return to Iraq for a second combat deployment. That return wasn’t just about finishing what I started—it was proof to myself, and to others, that resilience can overcome even the deepest scars of war. The greatest lessons I learned in uniform weren’t about tactics or strategy. They were about resilience, about never leaving a fellow Marine behind, and about the unbreakable strength of brotherhood and community. Those lessons have guided me in every chapter of my life, from leading Marines on the battlefield to serving veterans and their families in my civilian career.

On this 24th anniversary of 9/11, I think of the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the heroes who ran toward the flames. I also think of the countless Americans who chose service—whether in the military, as first responders, or in their communities—inspired by that day. For me, 9/11 is not only a day of remembrance, but a reminder of why I continue to serve, in and out of uniform. It is a reminder that resilience is possible, even in the face of tragedy. And it is a call for all of us to live with purpose, courage, and compassion. 

I respectfully challenge you to recommit yourselves to that same resilience. Whether in uniform or in your communities, each of us has the capacity to serve, to lead, and to strengthen the bonds that unite us as Americans.

The legacy of 9/11’s heroes endures in every act of selfless service.

My own journey as a combat-wounded Marine is but one reflection of that spirit. On this solemn anniversary, may we honor their sacrifice not just with remembrance, but with action—by lifting others up, serving with purpose, and never forgetting the strength that comes from unity.

Semper Fidelis.

First Sergeant Michael F. Barrett, USMC, Retired