Submitted by mbrodbeck on
Sep 23, 2021 AmeriCorps staff

On 9/11 Day Americans helped turn a day of tragedy into a day of service, remembrance, and resilience for our nation.

From coast to coast, thousands of Americans showed up in force to honor the 20th anniversary of September 11th. Through important service projects and remembrance activities, we were reminded of the unity that came from tragedy.

Dozens of White House officials, including Secretary-level Cabinet Members, participated through service.

And President Biden’s annual proclamation specifically called on Americans to work with AmeriCorps to volunteer on this day of service.

“I encourage all Americans to visit americorps.gov/911-day to learn about and seek opportunities to serve others on this day and to demonstrate once again that the ideals we hold, which many have tried to attack and destroy, are the very bonds that hold us together — even tighter in times of peril.”

AmeriCorps members and volunteers also partnered with organizations across the nation to serve.

In one partnership, AmeriCorps was thrilled to coordinate with Global Youth Justice on its first 911 Day Flag of Honor Across America Memorials. Volunteers distributed flags with 50 names of 9/11 victims to groups across the country to be read aloud. The ceremonies took place in 60 communities across 24 states, led and supported by 45 Youth Court Diversion Programs and AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers.

Below is a slideshow of moving moments from inaugural ceremonies in New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Colorado.

Firefighters speak at the first annual 911 Day Flag of Honor Across America Memorials
A group gathers on the stairs as part of 911 Day Flag of Honor Across America Memorials
Firefighters raising the flag at the first annual 9/11 Day Flag of Honor Across America Memorial

In New York, Hannah, a current AmeriCorps member serving as Yemeni American Merchants Association’s first VISTA fellow in New York City, created her own project writing more than 200 notes of appreciation to New York City Firefighters.

Hannah Minasian's notes of appreciation for firefighters
Hannah Minasian

“The whole point of this project is to honor those that we lost, those that we did not get to say thank you to before they lost their lives on 9/11/2001, by telling those that currently serve how appreciated they are,” said Hannah.

Hannah comes from a family of firefighters – from her great-great-grandfather to her brother – which inspired the idea for this remote service project.

“The Fire Department lost 343 lives that day. Let’s make sure the current firefighters of New York City know how thankful we are for them,” she said.

Those stories were just a small sample of the hundreds of service activities that took place this 9/11 Day. These service projects garnered news that we know will inspire others and continue to elevate service as a fitting tribute for 9/11.

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While 9/11 Day has become a day of service, remembrance, and resilience for our nation, now is the time to rekindle the spirit of unity that swept the nation 20 years ago. Acting AmeriCorps CEO Mal Cole discusses this in his opinion piece featured in The Hill.

Thank you for showing up, serving, and remembering that service on the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance is a meaningful way to honor those lost. We are grateful for all the volunteers who used our newly launched search tool nearly 500,000 times to find opportunities near them.

We invite you to continue using it to find a volunteer opportunity or post your opportunities. Learn more about how to register your episodic volunteer opportunities or opportunities the next national day of service.