Remembering September 11th

pToday marks the eight anniversary of the tragedies of September 11. In a proclamation recognizing the anniversary, the President honored those who lost their lives on that day:/pblockquotepThrough the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humility and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans.br /br / Today, we honor the lives we lost eight years ago. On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our Nation and the world.br /br / As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizen, and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. We must apprehend all those who perpetrated these heinous crimes, seek justice for those who were killed, and defend against all threats to our national security. We must also recommit ourselves to our founding principles. September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which or Nation was build: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today./p/blockquotepIn April, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which, for the first time, officially recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, government at all levels, businesses, and individuals to reignite the spirit of unity and service that inspired Americans in the days after the September 11, 2001 tragedy./ppYou can a href=”http://www.serve.gov/” target=”_blank”find service opportunities in your community at Serve.gov/a./p