On September 14, 2001, President George W. Bush offered hope and resoluteness to a nation reeling from tragedy in a speech that lasted only two minutes. Three days after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Bush gave impromptu remarks to the firefighters and responders cleaning debris during a visit to Ground Zero in New York City. Standing among those leading the recovery effort and speaking through a bullhorn, Bush acknowledged the profound grief and loss felt across the country, sharing in the nation’s sorrow while also offering a message of determination. Rather than dwelling on the devastation, Bush presented a path forward that resonated with the American people: “I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you!…And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!” Bush’s words reflected a country bound together in grief while affirming a shared commitment to persevere and respond. In this video, Garrett Exner, Executive Director of The Public Interest Fellowship, and Aaron MacLean, host of the School of War podcast, discuss Bush’s remarks and reflect on how America’s response to the September 11 attacks shaped both their own lives and the course of U.S. foreign policy.