Remembering September 11, 2001

The years keep passing, 13 have now gone by, but Americans of all ages will gather again this week, in the words of former President George W. Bush, to “honor the memory of the 11th day.”

From east to west, from north to south, Americans do their duty as citizens to remember September 11, 2001, like we always have, and like we always will.

For this generation, to this very day, September 11th evokes one of the most powerful reminders of all: we are Americans and above all else, in the toughest of times, we will stand together in aid, in comfort, and in resolve.

So we honor the memory of 9/11's victims, and continue to keep their families in our prayers.

We pay tribute, again, to the amazing bravery, courage and selflessness of the rescue and recovery workers – the firefighters and police officers, every first responder and every citizen who gave their lives, and those who spent week after week after week at Ground Zero in homage to the ultimate sacrifice of their fellow men and women.

We reaffirm our pride in this nation’s servicemen and servicewomen, and we keep in our thoughts and prayers those young men and women whom we’ve lost from here at home.

As a nation, we remember that America’s fundamental values cannot be overcome.

I join all of you in recalling how so many emergency services volunteers, not-for-profit organizations, school classrooms, business leaders and individual citizens and communities from across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions responded in such positive, uplifting ways in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

I’m grateful for this opportunity to remember how so many of this nation’s citizens, young and old, from all walks of life and all stations, responded with a powerful, enduring determination to help America recover and rebuild – and how, to this very day, this memory serves to remind us that even in the darkest of days, Americans face a future of hope, that the fundamental American values of decency, determination, fortitude, generosity and strength will help us carry on and keep this region, this state, and our nation strong.

Visit The National September 11 Memorial & Museum online, including a live stream of the commemoration ceremony on September 11 beginning at 8:39 a.m. -- CLICK HERE.

From ESPN.com, "Man In the Red Bandana," a powerful 9/11 remembrance, and tribute.  Watch HERE.

And for a list of area observances, see the Elmira Star-Gazette, "Local 9/11 observances planned"