Today we mark 14 years, when thousands of our best citizens were silenced in a brutal and cowardly attack. Today, we remember that despite what that wanton act of violence that brought down our tallest buildings, crippled our military headquarters, and silenced the lives of over a hundred lives in a desolate field in Pennsylvania, it ultimately failed to break us as a nation and as a people.
On the contrary, in that time of crisis and suffering, ordinary Americans made a choice to stand up against evil, then rescue their fellow citizens in the smoldering ruin of Ground Zero. One such hero, is Mark Bingham. He, along with fellow passengers Todd Beamer, Tom Burnett and Jeremy Glick tried to retake United Airlines Flight 93 form the hijackers before it crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvannia. This act earned him the posthumous praises and gratitude of the American people, but perhaps one of the lesser known facts about Mark: he broke the stereotype of what it was like to be Gay. An imposing rugby player, Mark the other passengers showed the world that Americans do not back down from a fight, especially when the lives of fellow citizens are being threatened.
In Ground Zero, after the towers fell, the race against time to rescue survivors showed us all the invaluable service of the men in women that perform a public service. Firefighters, Police and Emergency Medical Crews worked tirelessly round the clock to reach out for their fellow New Yorkers. New York City Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Mychal Judge, a Gay Roman Catholic priest, was first recorded casualty of 9/11. He lost his life performing last rites on a firefighter who in turn was dying in performance of their duties. Chaplain Judge was given the moniker "The Saint of 9/11."
It goes to show, that when face with a challenge, the wide spectrum of America will rise up and accept it. No challenge, however great or small, will deter the American spirit even if that challenge will invariable end our lives. In the words of John Paul Jones, "I have not yet begun to fight."
Yet despite all our sorrow, pain and loss we felt on that day, we have a duty to never let the light of hope that we have be extinguished. We also have a duty to never forget those who have fallen that day and the thousands of lives lost in the ensuing wars whether they are straight or gay.
We will carry their memory, we will forge ahead, we will strive for peace and we will let the world see humanity in us and what it offers. That same humanity of Mark Bingham and Chaplain Mychal Judge. We endure by not relegating ourselves to the level of our detractors.
Today we remember and remind ourselves that while in loss and tragedy in the darkness there is still hope, love and light.
Sincerely and on behalf of all our staff and board of directors of OutServe.
John Gillespie, Board Co-Chair
Jeffry Priela, Board Secretary
Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director
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