Our enemy won't rest; neither can we Published Sept. 7, 2006 By Col. Michael S. Stough 100th Air Refueling Wing commander RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Five years after that terrible morning, it still seems like yesterday. It's so fresh to me, in fact, that I can't force myself to watch "World Trade Center" or "Flight 93". That's not to say I'm trying to forget the attacks against the United States that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001; I want to remember - and honor - the heroism and sacrifice of the first responders in New York, and the courage of the passengers on Flight 93 that allowed them to prevent one of the attacks at the cost of their own lives. I also want to remember the determination and resolve displayed by the members of our armed forces as they took the fight to the enemy, overthrowing the Taliban in Afghanistan and working with our allies to disrupt terrorist cells around the world. However, as we honor those who lost their lives in this global war on terror, we also need to remember this war continues. We're fighting an enemy who has twisted the Islamic faith into something vile, using corrupted dogma to justify not only killing, but actually targeting, innocent noncombatants. In addition to their attacks on New York and Washington D.C., they've slaughtered innocents around the globe, from Bali and Madrid, to London and Amman. The most recent incident occurred on Aug. 10. I took Tracey, Jessica and Meghan to Heathrow Airport that morning, for their journey to Texas where Jessica would begin her freshman year in college. As we pulled into the parking garage, we heard over the radio that "increased security measures" were in effect at airports across the United Kingdom. The morning quickly turned into a nightmare for travelers, as the airlines struggled to cope with the new restrictions to carry-on items and the delays caused by heightened passenger screening that had to occur before the airplanes were allowed to take off. The restrictions made airline travel incredibly inconvenient, and everyone's frustration level - including mine - quickly skyrocketed. I have to admit, however, that as I gained perspective on the day, I was thankful that our problems were limited to delays and cancellations. I can't begin to imagine the horror of hearing on the news that airplanes were exploding over the Atlantic. Yes, the terrorists had once again shown their tenacity and ingenuity, designing explosive devices which could pass through screening and then be assembled on the airplanes themselves. Luckily, British authorities learned of the plot and thwarted the terrorists before they could put their plan in motion ... this time. But it's a stark reminder that we face a determined enemy who will continue to seek new means and methods of attack. As we mark the five-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we can take pride in the bravery and skill of our warriors - including many from this base - who have taken the fight to the enemy. We can also mourn those who lost their lives, both the trained professionals and the innocent professionals. We need to balance our reflection, however, with the need to continue looking forward. Our enemy won't rest; neither can we.