Remembering 9-11: An Idea for On Day One

This post was originally publshed three weeks ago. Given the significance of the day today, we are re-posting.  

Via News Unfiltered, My Good Deed—a social action campaign started by 9-11 survivors and their family and friends—is asking both candidates to temporarily suspend their campaigns on 9-11 and observe 9-11 as a national day of service

"The anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks should forever remain a day of unity," said David Paine, president of MyGoodDeed.org. "All of us, including those seeking public office, can best honor the memories of those lost by engaging in community service and other charitable acts on that day which help to recall and rekindle the remarkable spirit of unity and compassion that existed in our country in the weeks and months following the 9/11 tragedy."

"9/11 helped us realize in an instant how insignificant our differences really are in comparison to our common goodness as human beings and our shared sense of compassion for those in need," said Alice Hoagland, a MyGoodDeed.org board member who lost her son Mark Bingham in the crash of hijacked Flight 93 following the heroic attempt by Mr. Bingham and other passengers to wrestle control of the plan from the terrorists. "It hardly mattered what political party we supported, or whether we came from a red state or blue state. At that moment, we were all human beings, and it is important that we find a way each year on 9/11 to honor that spirit of togetherness and keep it alive."

Honoring the heroes of 9-11 through a day of service strikes me as an excellent idea. We should treat the day as a holiday, but rather than going on vacation, schools and places of employment should organize service projects, like cleaning up parks or visiting nursing homes. Service is a great way to empower people to feel closer to their community and neighbors. My Good Dead is onto something here. Here's their PSA: