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US marks 9/11 by doing "good deeds"

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-12 09:41

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama take part in a moment of silence marking the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, September 11, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

WASHINGTON - For Americans, every anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks is a time for mourning and remembrance.

However, on the eighth anniversary, which fell on Friday, there are a new way to mark the date.

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Under a legislation signed by U.S. President Barack Obama in April, Sept. 11 becomes the Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance starting this year, a day when all Americans are encouraged to remember the attacks by participating in a service project, or doing "good deeds" for their neighborhoods, communities and the society.

DOING GOOD DEEDS ACROSS COUNTRY

"Doing Good Deeds" events are underway in all 50 U.S. states and Washington DC by government and nonprofit groups nationwide Friday.

On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed when terrorists crashed hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and a field in Shanksville, Pa.

Memorial ceremonies held at those attack sites dominated media coverage Friday, but actions of volunteers attracted more attentions.

People hold up pictures of a victim of the 9/11 attacks during the eighth anniversary commemoration of the attacks at the Ground Zero in New York Sept. 11, 2009. Families of the victims gathered at the annual ceremony to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks, which killed more than 2,700 people with the destruction of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. (Xinhua/Gu Xinrong)

In the Greater Washington DC area which includes the Pentagon, over 2,000 volunteers are serving in 65 projects, including sending gifts to the residents, cleaning vehicles used to transport the veterans, and beautifying grounds of veteran hospitals.

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