Have just edited a newsletter article regarding September 11th, I read what I perceived to be a critical and angry letter to the editor regarding recent legislation formalizing a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
As paraphrased from www.911day.org: On Tuesday, April 21, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which for the first time includes federal authorization to establish Sept. 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.
In a press release, David Paine, founder and president of MyGoodDeed.org, a non-profit group that led a seven-year campaign to formally establish 9/11 as an annually recognized day of service and remembrance stated, "Today President Barack Obama created a historic, enduring and compassionate legacy that truly honors the 9/11 victims and their families, first responders and rescue and recovery workers, the soldiers who have taken up arms to defend our freedom and safety, and the many volunteers who spontaneously contributed their efforts in the immediate aftermath of 9/11."
Later in the same press release, MyGoodDeed.org co-founder Jay S. Winuk is quoted as saying, "As a 9/11 family member, I cannot think of a more inspiring, appropriate and constructive tribute to my late brother and all those who perished, were injured or rose in service - to rekindle, at least for one day each year, the remarkable spirit of compassion and service that unified our country."
Mr. Winuk lost his younger brother Glenn, an attorney, volunteer firefighter and EMT, who died in the line of duty in the collapse of the World Trade Center.
In our office, we've begun collecting new and gently used children's books for an area "Read to Me" program. The book drive will culminate on Friday, Sept. 11, with everyone invited to wear red, white and blue to work ... pictures will be taken, memories of 9/11 will be shared, and books will be delivered. A good deed performed specifically because someone learned about the newly established National Day of Service and Remembrance ... I foresee organized events and volunteerism happening all across our great nation that day.
I don't know if families of those lost in the tragic attacks were asked their opinion, as alluded to in the previous letter to the editor; I won't pretend to know their thoughts and feelings. But Sept. 11th is forever etched in everyone's memories ... and now we have an annual mechanism to encourage us to honor those lost and injured. I urge you and your family, church, or service group to log on to www.911day.org and register your day of service plan. Perform a simple act to help someone in need, create a 9/11 legacy.
