WEEKLY ADDRESS: Observing 9/11 with National Service

WASHINGTON— In this week’s address, President Obama called on the American people to come together in the spirit of service and remembrance as we approach the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks.  All Americans can pay tribute to those who lost their lives during 9/11 by visiting Serve.Gov to find ways to help within their own communities.  Through even the smallest of actions, we can reclaim the sense of unity that followed the attacks, and demonstrate that our sense of common purpose is just as strong today as it was ten years ago.  Americans can once again come together to mark this solemn anniversary with service, and move towards a bright future as one nation.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, August 27, 2011

In just two weeks, we’ll come together, as a nation, to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.  We’ll remember the innocent lives we lost.  We’ll stand with the families who loved them.  We’ll honor the heroic first responders who rushed to the scene and saved so many.  And we’ll pay tribute to our troops and military families, and all those who have served over the past ten years, to keep us safe and strong.

We’ll also recall how the worst terrorist attack in American history brought out the best in the American people.  How Americans lined up to give blood.  How volunteers drove across the country to lend a hand.  How schoolchildren donated their savings.  How communities, faith groups and businesses collected food and clothing. 

We were united, and the outpouring of generosity and compassion reminded us that in times of challenge, we Americans move forward together, as one people.

This September 11th, Michelle and I will join the commemorations at Ground Zero, in Shanksville, and at the Pentagon.  But even if you can’t be in New York, Pennsylvania or Virginia, every American can be part of this anniversary.  Once again, 9/11 will be a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  And in the days and weeks ahead, folks across the country—in all 50 states—will come together, in their communities and neighborhoods, to honor the victims of 9/11 and to reaffirm the strength of our nation with acts of service and charity.

In Minneapolis, volunteers will help restore a community center.  In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, they’ll hammer shingles and lay floors to give families a new home.  In Tallahassee, Florida, they’ll assemble care packages for our troops overseas and their families here at home.  In Orange County, California, they’ll renovate homes for our veterans.  And once again, Michelle and I look forward to joining a local service project as well. 

There are so many ways to get involved, and every American can do something.  To learn more about the opportunities where you live, just go online and visit Serve.gov.  Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost; a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.          

On this 10th anniversary, we still face great challenges as a nation.  We’re emerging from the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes.  We’re taking the fight to al Qaeda, ending the war in Iraq and starting to bring our troops home from Afghanistan.  And we’re working to rebuild the foundation of our national strength here at home. 

None of this will be easy.  And it can’t be the work of government alone.  As we saw after 9/11, the strength of America has always been the character and compassion of our people.  So as we mark this solemn anniversary, let’s summon that spirit once more.  And let’s show that the sense of common purpose that we need in America doesn’t have to be a fleeting moment; it can be a lasting virtue—not just on one day, but every day.