|
|
Why flags fly half staff Tuesday
|
|
September 10, 2012 |
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES
Barack Obama
On September 11, 2001, a bright autumn day was
darkened by the worst attack on the American
people in our history. Thousands of innocent
men, women, and children perished when mighty
towers collapsed in the heart of New York City
and wreckage burned in Pennsylvania and at the
Pentagon. They were family and friends, service
members and first responders -- and the tragedy
of their loss left pain that will never fade and
scars our country will never forget.
More than a decade later, the world we live in
is forever changed. But as we mark the
anniversary of September 11, we remember what
remains the same: our character as a Nation, our
faith in one another, and our legacy as a
country strengthened by service and
selflessness. In the spirit that moved rescue
workers and firefighters to charge into darkness
and danger that September morning, we see the
same sense of moral responsibility that drove
countless Americans to give of themselves in the
months that followed. We offered our neighbors a
hand and lined up to give blood. Many helped our
Nation rebuild and recover long after the dust
had settled, donating and volunteering and
helping survivors who had borne so much. We were
united, and the outpouring of generosity
reminded us that, through challenges that have
spanned from acts of terrorism to natural
disasters, we go forward together as one people.
Today, as we remember the victims, their
families, and the heroes who stood up during one
of our country's darkest moments, I invite all
Americans to reclaim that abiding spirit of
compassion by serving their communities in the
days and weeks ahead. From volunteering with a
faith-based organization, to collecting food and
clothing for those in need, to preparing care
packages for our men and women in uniform, there
are many ways to bring service into our everyday
lives -- and each of us can do something. To get
involved and find a local service opportunity,
visit
www.Serve.gov, or
www.Servir.gov
for Spanish speakers.
Even the simplest act of kindness can be a way
to honor those we have lost, and to help build
stronger communities and a more resilient
Nation. By joining together on this solemn
anniversary, let us show that America's sense of
common purpose need not be a fleeting moment,
but a lasting virtue -- not just on one day, but
every day.
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001
(Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated
September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day," and
by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009,
the Congress has requested the observance of
September 11 as an annually recognized "National
Day of Service and Remembrance."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of
the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
September 11, 2012, as Patriot Day and National
Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all
departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of
the United States to display the flag of the
United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and
National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor
of the individuals who lost their lives on
September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of
the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico and interested organizations and
individuals to join in this observance. I call
upon the people of the United States to
participate in community service in honor of
those our Nation lost, to observe this day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities, including
remembrance services, and to observe a moment of
silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight
Time to honor the innocent victims who perished
as a result of the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
this tenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord two thousand twelve, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the
two hundred and thirty-seventh. |
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
