A few years ago the world sat in transfixed horror as we watched the events of September 11 unfold. I'm sure that everyone who is reading this article has their own "snapshot" memory that represents that infamous day to them. I would like to share mine:

One Staten Island resident got out his video camera and began filming the events through his apartment window. The picture and perspective created an image that I can never get out of my mind.

In the background you can see the towers, on fire (before the collapse). The choakingly thick smoke is rising from the damaged remains.

But it is what is in the foreground that intrigued me.

There, in the foreground against this guastly backdrop, was Liberty Island, with Lady Liberty standing quiet guard.

The irony of the scene, for me, was striking. Without the freedoms that we have here in the United States, the freedoms that the statue of liberty represent, the terrorists could not have succeeded in their plot. They relied upon the freedom to work, to travel, to train--things that are closely regulated in many other countries.

Those who hate freedom will claim that our "freedom" has been used as an excuse for "license", that capitalism will ultimately result in rampant greed, that the only solution to this is to take away freedom.

But I disagree.

While freedom does give people the opportunity for indulgence in all sorts of negative behaviors, it is also the only thing that encourages invention, productivity, creativity and generosity. Only in a free environment can these things thrive.

We are created with the ability to think, to grow, to create. The enemies of freedom wish to take that away.

For every day that you or I succeed in business, we expand freedom. And not just for ourselves and our families. When you succeed, it creates jobs, activity, creativity for others. You buy a new car, you take a vacation, your kids go to a better school.

Everything we do can encourage more freedom.

Whether you live in the United States or somewhere else, you must succeed and not give up, because freedom is dependent on us. Freedom exists and grows in the hearts of individuals. It has no other fertile ground, no other place to take root and grow.