Parting Thoughts on 2001

TONY SNOW, HOST: 

SNOW:  We traditionally end our years with a combination of remembrance and anticipation, but seldom have we felt both as keenly as we do now.  Many things happened in 2001, but the clock really began to tick the morning of September 11. 

If you haven't had a chance, you owe it to yourself to view that day's images once more.  The furies and fires of that morning burned away what was silly and dispensable, and made us respect and fear the bare realities of our existence. 

Usama bin Laden's fighters forced us to concede that evil exists. But you know what?  Goodness exists as well.  And we found it in the unprompted deeds of men and women who embraced fire to save strangers.

Many of us headed home that day eager for the comfort of those we love.  We owe that to our families, but we also owe kinship to our fellow citizens, especially those in the grip of need. 

Victor Davis Hanson has observed that the shock of September 11 supercharged America, and he's right.  We're defiant, generous, raucous and proud.  We've only begun the war against terrorists, but we also stand at the starting blocks of a sprint to extend the boundaries of liberty, creativity and decency -- a sprint propelled by established values and virtues. 

The last time we faced an evil, resolute foe, we pulled together and did what we'll do this week.  We shouted and celebrated and defied our enemies. 

So, as we part today, let's look back at New Year's Eve 1941 at Times Square, just 3 1/2 weeks after Pearl Harbor. 

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER:  New York's New Year in wartime was just about the same as in other years.  Times Square was the focus for the crowds waiting for 1942.  And midnight came with a roar, ringing out the old and ringing in the new. 

(CROWD NOISES)

ANNOUNCER:  Victory sign like a New Year's resolution. 

(END VIDEO CLIP)      SNOW:  And four years later they got to celebrate peace. 

That's it today.  On behalf of Fox News Sunday, have a safe and happy New Year so we can see you back here next week.