Remembering September 11 with a National Day of Service

This year we commemorate the first September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. It is a day of remembrance and action. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 inspired Americans to come together in a spirit of unity and compassion. In April, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which, for the first time, officially recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Today Marylanders, including our own Democratic Party leaders, reflected on the tragic events we all recall and participated in community service projects across our state.

Governor Martin O'Malley joined Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake and a dozen or more volunteers to help construct homes for first-time homeowners in Maryland.

Lt. Governor Brown participated in a “Week of Service” that included a speech to students at Meade High School about the importance of volunteerism; a beautification project at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Prince George’s County; a visit to Loch Raven Veterans Rehabilitation Center in Baltimore with disabled veterans; and a visit to Our Daily Bread in Baltimore where Brown served breakfast to homeless veterans. The Lt. Governor finished the week in Rockville with volunteers from Rebuilding Together for a renovation project at Stepping Stone Homeless Shelter.

Rep. Frank Kratovil marked the day of remembrance by joining volunteers from Habitat for Humanity of Talbot & Dorchester Counties in the construction of low-cost housing for members of the community in Easton.

In a Senate floor statement, Senator Ben Cardin urged us to honor the memory of those we lost on September 11 through service to our community and our nation.

Others, too, have marked today in special ways.

We are proud that the Maryland Democratic Party is committed to commemorating September 11 with service on this day and for years to come.