Bureau/Division/Agency
Governor
Document Type
Sound
Exact Creation Date
9-12-2009
Duration
00:02:00
Language
English
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Rights Statement
No Copyright - United States. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
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Description
Good morning. This is Governor John Baldacci.
Eight years ago, terrorists changed the landscape of our country with terrible attacks on New York City, the Pentagon and aboard an airliner that crashed in Pennsylvania.
In New York, brave men and women – firefighters, police officers and other first responders – paid the highest price for their valor.
While most people ran away from the World Trade Center, they charged into harm’s way to save others.
And in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 mounted a desperate defense of themselves and their country.
Their bravery saved untold lives.
Even during the horror and confusion of that day, thousands upon thousands of men and women from every corner of the United States and every country in the world answered a call to service.
Blood banks were overwhelmed with people who wanted to donate. The lines stretched for blocks as good people did what they could do to help.
Old struggles and disagreements faded as the country came together – united and determined.
The world has changed greatly in the eight years since September 11.
But the day remains brightly etched in our memories.
This week we observed the anniversary of September 11 with a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Congress passed – and the President signed – the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
The law is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant – and a dear friend that he was.
The Act memorialized September 11 as a “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”
In Maine, we have also proclaimed September 11 as a Day of Service and Remembrance.
Together with many community volunteers, AmeriCorps members, National Civilian Community Corps members and many others, we worked on Friday to cleanup and restore a park in the Park Wood Transitional Housing area of Bangor.
The project is part of the United We Serve Campaign.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama created the United We Serve Campaign to promote a renewed focus on the environment, safety and community renewal.
You know each of us has an opportunity to make a difference in our communities.
We can volunteer at our child’s school, donate groceries to a food pantry or simply help our neighbors who might be struggling.
Every single act of kindness and service does matters.
While folks around the State turned out on Friday for public service, we were also reminded this week that the chain of events sparked on September 11 continues.
It’s impossible to compare this small project to the work that our first responders and military do every single day in service to their country.
This week, Private First Class Jordan Brochu was laid to rest during a service in Waterville.
Private Brochu was killed while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.
I spoke with Private Brochu’s mother not long after learning of his death.
She told me that her son wanted to make his family and his community proud.
He did that with his service. He made all of us very proud.
And we will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.
His tragic death is a reminder that the wounds of September 11 have not fully healed.
That families – with young men and women serving in far away and dangerous places – continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
For the men and women in the military, every day is a Day of Service and Remembrance.
They brave the unknown, away from the comfort of family and friends, for the ideals that have made our country a shining light to the world.
It is appropriate that on this anniversary that we all do our own, small part to make our communities a better place.
Thank you for listening, and thank you for your service.