To the Editor:
To ensure America never forgets the price that terrorism exacted in the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. Senate recently approved legislation that asks all Americans to join together in a national Moment of Remembrance on Sept. 11 and I am glad that so many New Jersey communities have agreed to join our effort.
For one minute, everyone in our country should stop and remember the victims of the worst terrorist attack on American soil.
The Moment of Remembrance will occur at the same time across the country: 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, noon in the central time zone, 11 a.m. in the mountain zone and 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
Governments and businesses, churches and railways, fire and police departments and others are called on to ring bells and sound sirens as we observe this Moment of Remembrance. During these 60 seconds, the only sounds heard across our country should be this patriotic chorus, as we remember the victims and confirm our determination to protect freedom for all.
Make no mistake: 9/11 changed our country forever – and a tragedy of this magnitude demands memory and vigilance.
Almost 3,000 people were murdered in the devastating attacks of 9/11, including 60 police officers and approximately 350 firefighters and other first responders. As a nation, we must keep alive the memories of these courageous Americans.
So let’s ask every American to stop, remember – and show the world how strong we are when we stand together.
To learn more about the Moment of Remembrance, visit www.lautenberg.senate.gov/stopandremember.
Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg
Washington, D.C.