CBS's Bob Schieffer finished Sunday's "Face the Nation" with a fitting tribute to the feeling of unity the 9/11 attacks brought to our nation and its capital.
"Ten years later, I sometimes wonder if we could still come together as we did then" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
BOB SCHIEFFER, "FACE THE NATION" HOST: 9/11 was one of the worst things that ever happened to America, and those of us who live in the Northeast will always carry special memories of that day.
I knew ten people who died that day or lost close relatives, and my memories are nothing compared to their losses. But I remember how helpless we felt that long morning, until we located and knew our younger daughter, who worked in midtown Manhattan, was safe.
As the grandfather of twins, I remember actually feeling physical pain when I learned that 11 twins lost siblings that day.
But I also remember some wonderful things.
The country and its elected representatives were coming together as we had not come together since World War II.
The next day as I drove to work there was suddenly no road rage - people honked and smiled, and flew the Stars and Stripes from their radio antennas.
Congress passed a $40 billion emergency appropriations bill that day - and passed it unanimously.
The unity would not last long, but I was there and I saw it happen.
Ten years later, I sometimes wonder if we could still come together as we did then.
To be honest, sometimes I'm not sure. But I want to believe with all my heart that we could.
Me too, Bob. Me too.
