9/11/2021 6:46 am Memorial Comment:
Hello, today I represent one of many who make up the faith communities of Ogden Utah. I would like to think that I am not only speaking as a Pastor, but as a proud and humbled member of a community that loves this incredible experiment in freedom called America. The greatest country that has ever existed. But who we are, is not nearly as important as the people we remember in this moment.
Today our Church will play on our Steeple Bells the first stanza of Amazing Grace, and then thirty instances one for each one hundred people lost twenty years ago in the terrorist’s attacks on our nation. And yet that number will not even come close to representing the injured, or those that have given of themselves since 911. Lives given so that we may continue to live and thrive as a people.
The idea of using the beginning of Amazing Grace is intended to remind all of us that in the very depths of our despair and grief, goodness and kindness are looking for us. To hold and console those of us who struggle during times such as these. And while we try to find forgiveness for the wrongs we have suffered, and those we visited on others, we seek to ensure an environment of never again, with security for our loved ones.
For it is inundating, and downright overwhelming to think of all those we memorialize today.
I wish I possessed just a portion of the fluency from a man who knew tragedy and despair first hand, who possessed empathy for others in epic expanses, President Lincoln. For as we gather in the moment to dedicate ourselves to the memory of those who were killed on that day and countless other days since, one can almost hear his words from the Gettysburg Cemetery saying; “we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow”…
Their lost memories, birthdays, hopes, and dreams, consecrate this moment far beyond our ability to do so. The people who have dedicated themselves and carried on in the memories of those who have passed, both on and after that stark day of 9/11/2001, have shown all of us how to be living monuments for each other. Thank you!
Our nation continues to produce the very best of the very best of individuals, who we will never be worthy of meriting. Our country historically has produced persons willing to give the last full measure of themselves for others. It is readily evident as demonstrated just weeks ago by thirteen heroic members from freedom’s incubator; America. These courageous young along with their families yet again paid the ultimate price for service overseas in Afghanistan to support you and I here in the homeland of privilege, and plenty.
So today from the Great Basin of America’s Intermountain West, we reach out with all people of “good will” to remember just how high the price our way of life can be, and has been.
Our prayer and hope for all people of courage in our common future together, is that on this day, you remember. May we evoke our memories of our beloved fellow citizens, our brave steadfast police, heroic paramedic and fire fighters, the dedicated medical providers, the unnoticed dedicated servants of federal, state and local government service, and of course the courageous military who upon sacred oaths of honor defend, protect, and serve us.
In Summary using the words of President Lincoln, that we here highly resolve that those fallen have not passed in vain. That those we cherish in our hearts today, be held in our collective memory until the end of time.