Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Bob McDonnell

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2011

Contact: Jeff Caldwell
Phone: (804) 225-4260
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

 

Governor McDonnell Proclaims September 11th Day of Remembrance, Patriotism and Prayer in Virginia

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell has issued a proclamation marking September 11th a “Day of Remembrance, Patriotism and Prayer” in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Governor’s proclamation is below and can be found at this link: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/OurCommonwealth/Proclamations/2011/911Anniversary.cfm

9/11
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE,
PATRIOTISM AND PRAYER

            WHEREAS,  the events of September 11, 2001 have profoundly affected–and continue to affect–all aspects of our society, and the lives of Virginians, Americans and  people across the world were changed forever following the destruction of the World Trade Center complex in New York City, the attack against the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the crash of Flight 93 in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania; and
 
            WHEREAS,  ten years later the citizens of our Commonwealth and these United States continue to mourn for the more than three thousand innocent voices that were tragically silenced–including 184 in Virginia at the Pentagon–by terrorists on that infamous day of death and destruction; and
 
            WHEREAS,  it is imperative that we never forget our shock and revulsion at the needless destruction, the bravery of our first responders who risked all for their neighbors, our anguish from the sudden loss of so many precious lives, or how we as a people did not succumb to a state of fear as the terrorists intended, but instead set aside our differences and united as patriots in our country’s hour of need; and
 
            WHEREAS,  while we reflect upon the memory of the departed, it is important that we also pause to remember and honor the sacrifices of all those members of our armed forces who have given their lives in heroic service to our country and all members of our military who have volunteered to bring those responsible for the 9/11 attacks and their supporters to justice during the Global War on Terror; and
 
            WHEREAS,  prayer has long served as a measure of our nation’s strong heritage of faith and has been an indispensable source of moral and spiritual guidance for citizens throughout our Commonwealth’s history, and it is fitting that our Commonwealth reserve a day in which our citizens may reflect and mourn–consistent with their own faith traditions–with those who have suffered as a result of terrorism, to humbly ask God for the strength and fortitude necessary to protect our lives, liberty and property from future transgressions, and to give thanks for the freedoms with which we as a people are fortunate enough to be blessed;
 
            NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize September 11, 2011 as a DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, PATRIOTISM AND PRAYER in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens; and
 
            FURTHERMORE, I urge all citizens of our Commonwealth to display the flag of the United States of America wherever possible, and I invite all to witness a one-minute, statewide Moment of Silence starting at 9:39 AM–when American Airlines Flight 77 impacted with the Pentagon in our County of Arlington–and I encourage Virginians to reflect upon the lives lost and heroic sacrifices made on that fateful eleventh day of September.
 
 

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