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Last night at the Beacon Theatre in New York, there was a tribute to commemorate the designation of September 11 as an annually observed National Day of Service and Remembrance, as proclaimed by President Barack Obama. Co-hosted by MyGoodDeed and Service Nation, the evening was a mix of speeches and entertainment. There were musical numbers by singer Anjulie, The Harlem Boys and Girls Club Alumni Choir, John Ondrasik, a rousing number by The Roots and a performance by Gavin DeGraw. In the audience were 9/11 families, members of service organizations, uniformed firefighters and soldiers.
The keynote address was given by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton:
9/11 will always be a day that represents humanity at its worst and humanity at its best. A day when many of you experienced, senseless violence and tragic, unspeakable loss, but when you also witnessed the heroism, generosity and compassion of our fellow citizens.
In response to adversity, we will rise to the call of service because we discover that we gain more than we give, and because serving is one way to express what it means to be an American.
Secretary Clinton was introduced by Nicole Tsang, the Whole School Whole Child Product Manager of City Year, New York. City Year is an organization that "unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world." It was also one of the many community groups that had representatives in the audience.
Though the words of the speakers may have been different, the sentiments were the same: by helping the less fortunate, Americans will not only feel better as individuals, they will also make America stronger. Jay Winuk, who lost his brother on 9/11, and his friend David Paine were the founders of MyGoodDeed and the guiding forces behind the idea that the anniversary of 9/11 should be turned into a day of service.
Other politicians who spoke at the event were New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, Congresswomen Doris Matsui, and New York Governor David A. Patterson.
But as it is at most of these events, the most compelling words came from the family members of some of those lost.
There was Cindy McGinty of Foxboro, Massachusetts who lost her husband Mike and told how her local landscaper, Chris Mitchell took care of her landscaping and yard work, free of charge for eight years.
She drew a chuckle from the audience when she added, "Fortunately for Chris we moved to Connecticut last December." Chris Mitchell himself, who was in the audience, drew a standing ovation when Mrs. McGinty introduced him.
His example, she said caused her to get involved in the Massachusetts Military Heroes fund that helps families who've lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Would I have been so involved in helping others if I hadn't lost Mike? Probably not. Would I have been so involved if not for Chris Mitchell showing me the value of helping others in need? Probably not. Is it possible, as horrible as it was, that there are blessings that came from 9/11? Absolutely.
Retired FDNY Deputy Chief Jim Riches, who lost his firefighter son was visibly moved by the idea of serving others on 9/11:
For somebody to turn around and to do a good deed in their memory, it's especially warm to the families, to all of us that on that evil, horrible day, that something good can come out of it.
An older lady in red, sitting in the audience was brought to audible sobs when Mr. Riches gave this advice to those trying to comfort family members:
As someone who lost a loved one, a bit of advice to people: you know there will never be closure for us, the hurt is always there. Christmas dinners, he's not there, my son's wedding he wasn't there...don't tell them they're in a better place. This is a better place, they should be here. You're better off just talking to the families, and tell us stories about 'em.
Actor Gary Sinise, a member of the My Good Deed national advisory board and someone who's made many trips to Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain and thank the troops, explained why he does it:
For me personally, that terrible tragedy opened my eyes to how vulnerable we can be. And also to how much our country needs all of us to give back something so we might remain strong. From that point on, I was
