If you didn’t already know, today’s eighth anniversary of 9/11 marks the first National Day of Service and Remembrance. President Obama has declared that today be a day in which we’re not only remembering the lives lost, but honoring them by engaging in community service. After 9/11, the country was united by such an empowering sense of pride that we proved to the world nothing could knock us down.

However, eight years have gone by; a lot has happened and Americans have lost faith. It seems that President Obama is trying to recreate the pride our country felt post 9/11. In a statement posted yesterday on serv.gov, it says:’In honor of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, the Corporation for National and Community Service is supporting service activities in all fifty states. We are working with nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, government at all levels, businesses and individuals to reignite the spirit of unity and service that inspired Americans in the days after the September 11, 2001 tragedy.’

Even though I was only in 6th grade at the time, I can recall the acts of patriotism that took place not only within the country, but also within my community. A huge brick apartment building located in the center of my town painted an American Flag on the entire side of the building, with the words ‘United We Stand,’ underneath. Today it still remains intact, as the tenants re-paint it whenever necessary.

No matter what your political views are, where you stand on the current health care debate, or how you feel about the war in Iraq, I think this is an issue that every American can agree upon. In these trying times, it is most important for everyone to rediscover the pride that kept us going after 9/11. What better way to restore faith in our country than by helping our fellow citizens?

I will admit that I am not a fan of President Obama. I did not vote for him, and have issues with the way he’s been running our country. However, I feel that creating this national holiday in honor of Sept. 11 is the most admirable decision he’s made so far. I hope that this will inspire our country to become more involved within their communities, while also remembering the lives lost and the families affected on that tragic day.

So please, take our president’s words to heart and become involved. Help out at a food pantry, sign up to volunteer at your local boys and girls club, even donate to a nearby Salvation Army. Visit 911dayofservice.org to discover more ways you can help. If anything, just take one minute out of your day to stop and remember. Remember the lives lost in the towers, the firefighters and police officers, the soldiers who have died fighting for us, the soldiers who have safely returned and the soldiers who are still there fighting today. Despite our countries hardships, we must not forget.

Never, ever forget.

Lauren Tousignant is a sophomore communications and rhetorical studies major. She is the opinions editor of the Daily Orange where her columns appear occasionally.

Published on September 9, 2009 at 12:00 pm