Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward. And freedom will be defended.

I want to reassure the American people that full — the full resources of the federal government are working to assist local authorities to save lives and to help the victims of these attacks.

Make no mistake, the United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.

I’ve been in regular contact with the Vice President, Secretary of Defense, the national security team, and my cabinet. We have taken all appropriate — appropriate security precautions to protect the American people.

Our military at home and around the world is on high alert status. And we have taken the necessary security precautions to continue the functions of your government.

We have been in touch with leaders of Congress and with world leaders to assure them that we will do what is — whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans.

I ask the American people to join me in saying a “thanks” for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens, and to join me in saying a prayer for the victims and their families.

The resolve of our great nation is being tested, but make no mistake. We will show the world that we will pass this test.

God bless.

— President George W. Bush

Batallion 1 Chief: “Command post, Tower 1, all units. Evacuate the building. Command post, to all units.” — FDNY Battalion 1 Chief Joseph Pfeifer

KC: There’s smoke really bad.

911: Sit tight and we’ll get to you as soon as we can.

KC: I know you’ve got a lot in the building but we’re up on the top. Smoke rises too. Come on, I can barely breathe now – can’t see. It’s really bad, it’s black, it’s arid. We’re young men, not ready to die.

911: Hello?

KC: Hello… there’s three of us, two broken windows… Oh God! Oh…

— Kevin Cosgrove, cell phone conversation from South Tower,  World Trade Center

“You ready? OK. Let’s roll.” — Todd Beamer, Passenger on United Airlines Flight 93

“…it felt, just a few moments ago, like there was an explosion of some kind here at the Pentagon.” — NBC News Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski

“Ladies and gentlemen here… is the captain please sit down… Keep remaining sitting. We have a bomb on board. So sit.” — Transmission from United Airlines Flight 93

“Two airplanes… have crashed… into the World Trade Center… in an apparent terrorist attack on our country,” — President George W. Bush

“”Hey, get out of here” — Pilot of United Airlines Flight 93

“Beware any cockpit intrusion—Two a/c [aircraft] hit World Trade Center.” — United Airlines flight dispatcher Ed Ballinger, in a text message to all of his flights