Reflecting on 9/11: A Call to Serve

September 11, 2001 was, as President Roosevelt said, “a date which will live in infamy.”

I’m sure you can remember exactly where you were on that day. I was in high school, and heard the news in class. I watched the towers come down with the rest of my French class, trying to make sense of what was happening.

America Responds

In the days following the attacks, we saw the best of America. We helped each other grieve by serving one another. We read stories of heroism and survival like this one from FDNY Deputy Chief Jay Jonas (published in 2011). We even got back to watching baseball, and the song “God Bless America” took on a new meaning in the wake of the tragedy.

Now, A Call to Serve

Today, we mark another anniversary of our nation’s worst tragedy since the attack on Pearl Harbor. We can honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 people that lost their lives by serving others.

After 9/11, many answered the call to serve by joining our nation’s military. The United States military has defended our nation admirably in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. To these brave men and women who defend with honor, thank you for your service.

You may not be called to serve in the military, but everyone can serve.

After graduating from college, I served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Cornerstone Assistance Network, a non-profit that fights homelessness. I loved serving my country, and enjoyed contributing to a cause bigger than myself. I continue to learn from the experience.

Service to Honor 9/11

If you’d like to volunteer in your community to honor the anniversary of 9/11, there are non-profits around the country that would be glad to have your time and service. Here are a few resources to help you find a project:

1. 911Day.org: A movement to remember 9/11 each year through service. If you are interested in serving, enter your vip-code here to search for local opportunities.

2. Mission Continues: Have you ever wanted to say “Thank You” to a veteran? Here’s your chance! There is no better way to thank a veteran for serving than to volunteer alongside them. Mission Continues provides fellowships to post-9/11 veterans. Click here to register for a project.

2. Serve.gov: United We Serve is a nationwide service initiative, launched by President Obama and managed by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Learn more about the nationwide effort to mark 9/11 with service.

How will you honor the anniversary of 9/11?

Note: The credit for the images in this post goes to www.911Memorial.org and www.AmeriCorps.gov. They can be found here and here.