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Blue Springs, MO —
I consider today, Sept. 11, a day of reverence, dedicated to all who lost their lives, in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. This year, as in years past, I have studied ways in which I can show respect to the families who lost their loved ones.
Our communities are filled with many families who are in crisis. We can select a family in need and donate our time or resources to community families. All of this can be done in remembrance of families whose lives were changed forever on Sept. 11.
For the past week, I’ve been exploring local and national activities scheduled for today. Yesterday, I landed on a site produced and written by Pamela Skillings, a Manhattan guide. I’d like to share a portion of this.
“September 11, 2012, marks the eleven-year anniversary of 9/11. New Yorkers will come together to honor and remember the victims of September 11th at many different events in Manhattan.
“The official New York City observance of the eleventh anniversary of September 11 will take place at the World Trade Center site on the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, 2012. As always, four moments of silence will be observed to commemorate the times when each plane hit and each tower fell, starting at 8:46 a.m.
“Family members of those who perished in the attacks are invited to attend the ceremony and call the New York City Mayor’s office at 212-442-8953 for more information.
“At sunset, the famous ‘Tribute in Light’ will return to the skies above New York City for the night. The tribute is comprised of 44 7,000-watt Xenon light bulbs, arranged into two 48-foot squares inspired by the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. The illuminated memorial reaches four miles into the sky and is visible from as far as 30 miles away. The two arrays cast the strongest shaft of light ever projected from Earth into the night sky.”
Pamela lists other events at the historic Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Chapel, Prayers for Peace, ringing of the Bell of Hope, the United States Military Academy Band performance, Memorial Concerts held at Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Castle Clinton National Monument, Rockefeller Center, Washington Square Park and a spectacular dance performance at Josie Robertson Plaza.
In 2009, Congress officially designated Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Locally, we can reach out in service by helping those in need.
Today, I would like to suggest we give service to someone. Call a friend. Help a coworker. Check on a widowed neighbor. Contribute your time or donate a canned food item, clothing, shampoo, towel, shoes or any item to Community Services League or a local food pantry. Simply drop in your donation in remembrance of those who died 11 years ago, on 9/11.
I would like to conclude, with a quote by Henry Van Dyke: “To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of mankind, this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for.”
I consider today, Sept. 11, a day of reverence, dedicated to all who lost their lives, in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. This year, as in years past, I have studied ways in which I can show respect to the families who lost their loved ones.
Our communities are filled with many families who are in crisis. We can select a family in need and donate our time or resources to community families. All of this can be done in remembrance of families whose lives were changed forever on Sept. 11.
For the past week, I’ve been exploring local and national activities scheduled for today. Yesterday, I landed on a site produced and written by Pamela Skillings, a Manhattan guide. I’d like to share a portion of this.
“September 11, 2012, marks the eleven-year anniversary of 9/11. New Yorkers will come together to honor and remember the victims of September 11th at many different events in Manhattan.
“The official New York City observance of the eleventh anniversary of September 11 will take place at the World Trade Center site on the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, 2012. As always, four moments of silence will be observed to commemorate the times when each plane hit and each tower fell, starting at 8:46 a.m.
“Family members of those who perished in the attacks are invited to attend the ceremony and call the New York City Mayor’s office at 212-442-8953 for more information.
“At sunset, the famous ‘Tribute in Light’ will return to the skies above New York City for the night. The tribute is comprised of 44 7,000-watt Xenon light bulbs, arranged into two 48-foot squares inspired by the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. The illuminated memorial reaches four miles into the sky and is visible from as far as 30 miles away. The two arrays cast the strongest shaft of light ever projected from Earth into the night sky.”
Pamela lists other events at the historic Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Chapel, Prayers for Peace, ringing of the Bell of Hope, the United States Military Academy Band performance, Memorial Concerts held at Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Castle Clinton National Monument, Rockefeller Center, Washington Square Park and a spectacular dance performance at Josie Robertson Plaza.
In 2009, Congress officially designated Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Locally, we can reach out in service by helping those in need.
Today, I would like to suggest we give service to someone. Call a friend. Help a coworker. Check on a widowed neighbor. Contribute your time or donate a canned food item, clothing, shampoo, towel, shoes or any item to Community Services League or a local food pantry. Simply drop in your donation in remembrance of those who died 11 years ago, on 9/11.
I would like to conclude, with a quote by Henry Van Dyke: “To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of mankind, this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for.”
