On September 16 , 2001 , as the nation was still reeling from the attacks , in a stirring cadence he reminded us of what America is : " The United States had a spirit before it had a name , one of faith and freedom , of ambition tempered by piety , we once were a nation of neighbors and friends , we are again today , we once were a nation of hardship-tested dreamers , we are again today , we once were a nation under God , and we are again today . "