What I Think Is Beautiful: 0065: In Memory of 9.11.01

All over the country and in cities around the world, flags flew, bells tolled and names of those who perished were read as we dedicated September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, to the nearly 3,000 victims of that day.

“Decades from now, Americans will visit the memorials to those who were lost on 9/11, and they will know that nothing can break the will of a truly united States of America. They will remember that we have overcome slavery and Civil War, bread lines and fascism, recession and riots, Communism and, yes, terrorism. They will be reminded that we are not perfect, but our democracy is durable, and that democracy–reflecting, as it does, the imperfections of man–also gives us the opportunity to perfect our union. That is what we honor on days of national commemoration: those aspects of the American experience that are enduring, and the determination to move forward as one people.”

~President Barack Obama~

At the ground zero ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, former President George W. Bush read the "Bixby letter" written by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864:

"Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming.

But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln"