Designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, the First Family paid respects to the victims of the September 11th tragedy by joining a public service project. The President, First Lady, daughters Sasha and Malia volunteered at DC Central Kitchen, an organization that turns leftover food into meals for thousands of at-risk individuals. The organization also offers nationally recognized culinary job training to the formerly homeless and hungry adults. It is located in Washington, D.C. DC Central Kitchen also provided the thousands of Easter eggs for this year’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at the White House.
In his weekly address to the nation, the President urged all Americans to remember this occasion with resiliency and a show of the American spirit:
On this 10th anniversary, we still face great challenges as a nation. We’re emerging from the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes. We’re taking the fight to al Qaeda, ending the war in Iraq and starting to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. And we’re working to rebuild the foundation of our national strength here at home.
None of this will be easy. And it can’t be the work of government alone. As we saw after 9/11, the strength of America has always been the character and compassion of our people. So as we mark this solemn anniversary, let’s summon that spirit once more. And let’s show that the sense of common purpose that we need in America doesn’t have to be a fleeting moment; it can be a lasting virtue—not just on one day, but every day.
