In 2001, we had a strong leader who was not ashamed or afraid to call on the God of our fathers in a time of national tragedy.

Our Congress held a nonpartisan assembly on the Capitol steps and spontaneously sang “God bless America.”

Our friends and allies shared our sorrow …

and stood with us in solidarity.

Heartfelt tributes came from around the world.

Over 82 nations lost citizens in the Twin Towers tragedy, and they shared our grief.

The week following the terrorist attacks, 47 % of Americans attended church, and church attendance increased by an estimated 20-25 % through December of that year.  People across this country were united as Americans, and flags were flown proudly. 

But this year, things are different.  Politics seem to be more important to government officials than the solemn remembrance of those near 3000 lives that were lost on that tragic day.  Mayor Bloomberg of New York City decided that clergy as well as First Responders and their families would not be invited to the Ground Zero 9/11 Memorial Service.  President Obama has decided to downplay the role of Islamic extremists in the murder of 2996 people on September 11, 2001.  At the “secular” event he was to address at the Washington National Cathedral,  the invitation list excluded evangelical clergy.

However, Obama’s address won’t take place at the Washington National Cathedral this year.  That building suffered signficant damage in the August 23 earthquake.  Without explanation, a giant crane being used in repairs to the building toppled over on Wednesday of last week.  All 9/11 events scheduled at the cathedral had to be moved elsewhere.  It makes one wonder if God is sending a message.

All those who attend the 9/11/11 Memorial Service at Ground Zero are being asked by the Patriot Action Network  to sing “Amazing Grace” when Mayor Bloomberg starts speaking.  The verses of “Amazing Grace” can be found here, along with this request:

PLEASE HELP US GET THIS VIRAL FAST!

All of you in attendance at Ground Zero for the 9/11/11 Memorial Service.

When Mayor Bloomberg begins to speak let “Amazing Grace” FILL THE AIR”

The Mayor can keep our Clergy out, but he can’t keep ALL those in attendance from singing.

For those who were not invited or cannot attend the 9/11 Memorial event, the Salvation Army of Greater New York will host an alternative event from 7:30 AM to 1 PM at  their Centennial Memorial Temple at 120 West 14th Street.  Livestreaming of the 9/11 memorial ceremony will begin at 8 AM and will  be “projected on multiple monitors including on a 20-foot-by-11-foot screen in HD in a press-free environment.”  A concert and prayer service will also take place from 2:30 to 3:30 PM.   From 5:25 PM to 7:30 PM, Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries in Atlanta will be the featured speaker at a Healing and Remembrance service.  Contact and registration information for the events can be found here.  The audio of Dr. Stanley’s address will be livestreamed here and here.

Another alternative event, the 9/11 Freedom Rally will meet at 3 PM at Park Place and West Broadway.  Pamela Geller, editor of the Atlas Shrugs blog and author of  Stop the Islamization of America and Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch, will be hosting the event.  The rally is sponsored by American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), of which Geller and Spencer are executive director and associate director, respectively.  Clergy will be present for the invocation, and First Responders and 9/11 family members will be among the speakers.  A special screening of  the film, “The Ground Zero Mosque: The Second Wave of the 911 Attacks,” will take place that evening at The Actor’s Temple Theater on 47th between 8th and 9th Avenues.  Those interested in attending the screening can RSVP at GroundZeroMosque@aol.com.

Project 2996 on Facebook is a special project in which Americans from across the country can participate.  Friends from other countries, such as Canada, are also invited to participate.  Facebook members who “Like” the page can select an individual from a list of of 9/11 victims who do not yet have tributes and write a memorial blog about that individual.   A photo of the 9/11 victim and a link to the individual tribute is then posted on the Wall of the Project 2996 Facebook page.  A description of the project can be found at the Project 2996 website.

People at 9/11 events and in church services around the country today will be remembering the lives that were lost in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D. C. on September 11, 2001, in the worst terrorist attack on U. S. soil.   They will also be honoring the heroes of that day, some of whom died trying to rescue victims, and some of whom have died and continue to die since from toxic exposure at the Ground Zero site.   We must Never Forget what happened that day and determine to do all we can to prevent it from happening again.