President Bush has urged Americans to put aside their differences and work together in the war against terrorism.
In remarks released by the White House ahead of Mr. Bush's nationally-televised address on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the president reflects on what the attacks mean for the country and how Americans can move forward to win the war on terror.
Mr. Bush says the United States is at war with an enemy determined to bring death and suffering into American homes.
Mr. Bush says "America did not ask for this war, and every American wishes it were over." But the president says the war will not be over "until either we or the extremists emerge victorious."
The president says Americans are fighting to maintain the way of life enjoyed by free nations and for the possibility that people in the Middle East can live in societies based on freedom, tolerance and personal dignity.