***Calls for Statewide Moment of Silence at 9:39AM Tomorrow ** Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff StatewideGovernor Also Encourages Virginians to Participate in Statewide Food Drive Marking Anniversary
RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell has issued a proclamation in honor of all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. In addition, he called on all Virginians to observe a moment of silence tomorrow at 9:39am, the same time that American Airlines Flight 77 impacted the Pentagon. The Governor also encouraged Virginians to participate in the statewide food drive sponsored by the AARP, Ruritan and Federation of Virginia Food Banks that will mark the anniversary as part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance. For more information about the food drive please visit: http://www.vafoodbanks.org/newsroom.html
A copy of the governor's proclamation is attached and below. The proclamation can also be found online here
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/OurCommonwealth/Proclamations/2010/911Remembrance.cfm
9/11 DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, PATRIOTISM AND PRAYER
WHEREAS, the events of September 11, 2001 have profoundly affected-and continue to affect-all aspects of our society, and the lives of Virginians, Americans and free peoples across the world were changed forever following the destruction of the World Trade Center complex in New York City, the attack against the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the crash of Flight 93 in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, nine years later the citizens of our Commonwealth and these United States continue to mourn for the more than three thousand innocent voices that were tragically silenced-including 184 in Virginia at the Pentagon-by terrorists on that infamous day of human death and destruction; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that we never forget our shock and revulsion at the needless destruction, the bravery of our first responders who risked all for their neighbors, our anguish from the sudden loss of so many precious lives, or how we as a people did not succumb to a state of fear as the terrorists intended but instead set aside our differences and united as patriots in our country's hour of need; and
WHEREAS, while we reflect upon the memory of the departed, it is important that we also take pause to remember and honor the sacrifices of all those members of our armed forces-including approximately 221 Virginians-who have fallen in the line of duty and all members of our military who have volunteered to bring those responsible for the 9/11 attacks and their supporters to justice during the Global War on Terror; and
WHEREAS, prayer has long served as a measure of our nation's strong heritage of faith and has been an indispensable source of moral and spiritual guidance for citizens throughout our Commonwealth's history, and it is fitting that our Commonwealth reserve a day in which our citizens may reflect and mourn-consistent with their own faith traditions-with those who have suffered as a result of terrorism, to humbly ask God for the strength and fortitude necessary to protect our lives, liberty and property from future transgressions, and to give thanks for the freedoms with which we as a people are fortunate enough to be blessed;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize September 11, 2010 as a DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, PATRIOTISM AND PRAYER in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens; and
FURTHERMORE, I urge all citizens of our Commonwealth to display the flag of the United States of America wherever possible in reverence to the freedoms upon which our nation was built; and
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED that I invite all Virginians to witness a one-minute, statewide Moment of Silence starting at 9:39 AM-when American Airlines Flight 77 impacted with the Pentagon in our County of Arlington-and I encourage all Virginians to reflect upon the lives lost and heroic sacrifices made on that furious eleventh day of September.
Governor's flag order for the for the Commonwealth of Virginia
Pursuant with President Barack Obama's Presidential Proclamation to lower the United States flag honoring those who died during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, I do hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and of the Commonwealth of Virginia are to be flown at half-staff on all local, state, and federal buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in respect and memory of the victims who died as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Saturday, September 11, 2010, and remain at half-staff until sunset.
Ordered this the 10th day of September, 2010.
Sincerely, Robert F. McDonnell