September 11

On this day, we remember with our hearts as well as our minds those whose lives were so tragically lost a year ago today. Each of us is forever changed by one of the saddest days in America's history. We will hear the church bells toll and bagpipes solemnly played. We will pray for strength and courage for those who grieve, and yet go on.

On that bright September morning filled with blue sky, brilliant sunshine and late-blossoming summer flowers, it happened. Since then, we've learned of the heroic efforts of firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel and survivors. We've been blessed by the service of volunteers who gave their time and energy in so many ways to do all anyone could possibly do. We owe a debt of gratitude to those tirelessly operating the heavy equipment and machinery at Ground Zero. We offer thanks, too, for the rescue dogs who searched and then recovered victims.

We think of all those lost on the four airplanes, who were, before the crash, just experiencing an ordinary day. We remember those at the Pentagon who died while at work. We are joined together by the bravery and dignity of their lives. We are united by the events of that day.

We remember. We remember. We remember and carry within us the memories of those lost. As loved ones and friends place their roses at the "footprints" of the twin towers, let us pray for them and for those we have lost. Let us pray for peace.