Much has happened since the fateful September 11th six years ago. There're so many things which seem to have taken us in a u-turn from the essential tenets of who we are meant to be as Americans. Yet that's not where I'm headed tonight.
Last night I participated in a truly incredible experience which I'm not completely certain I can put into words. For those of you who don't live in this part of the world, there's still a fair amount of prejudice; although, it has improved since the last time I lived here.
But last night ...
Religious leaders from every faith group in the area and all racial/ethnic backgrounds gathered together for a September 11 Remembrance and Peace Procession. Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Christian of various stripes, African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, male, female, formal clerical attire, casual, from all three of the major cities in the Golden Triangle area, all shared a prayer and walked together to the main fire station, the police station, and the port.
At each stop, the first responders gave a short tribute to those who have served and whose lives were lost or forever changed in the line of duty. At the port, the military headquarters (transportation group) gave a prayer for those who serve in the military and for a time when all may live in peace. The religious leaders placed a wreath there and laid palm fronds there as a symbol of the peace we prayed for.
The only prayer given by the religious leaders was this one:
"Loving God and Father, answer our prayers for a world of peace. Give us strength as we face the conflicts o our troubled world. Cleanse our minds of retaliation and help us to be instruments of your peace. Fill us with the compassion we need to overlook the hatefulness of others and enable us to be a country embraced by the grace of your teachings. We ask to share in teh task of restoring harmony and justice.
God of compassion and mercy, we pray for all the people whose lives have been changed by violence in this world. Remember, too, those who perished in the attack on America and the lives that have been lost in protecting democracy and freedom around the world. Console their families and friends with the knowledge that their loved ones will find comfort and peace in your loving arms. We put our trust in your heavenly graces. Hear our plea and grant that peace reign through the world. Amen."
Yes, I have one or two quibbles with the prayer, but, considering the context, it was a job well done. I hope the local news outlets showed that our area has an incredible diversity within it and that we can all hope and pray for peace in our world and a time when differences are embraced and not feared.
Yesterday was a very good day. What better message could we send to those who would bring pain and division to this world than the image of all of us together walking and praying for peace?
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I heard news commentators asserting that maybe we, as a nation, should move on and get past the tragedy of the terrorists attacks. That perhaps we were, in fact, giving the terrorists the publicity they so crave to memorialize this day earch year.
I couldn't disagree more.
I would like to see 9/11 set aside as a Federal holiday--for a national day of mourning each year. Not only for the people who perished in the World Trade Center, but for all of the United States citizens who have lost their lives in any terror attack in any part of the world.
The events of 9/11 galvanized our resolve as a nation, and we must NEVER forget.
I will now crawl down off of my soapbox...
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