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>> MY NAME IS TONJA LOFTON,
AND I'M A STUDENT AT GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
AND THE STUDENT CONGRESS PRESIDENT.
AS YOU ARE AWARE, THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011,
WE WILL OBSERVE THE TENTH YEAR SINCE THE BOMBING OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER,
THE U.S. PENTAGON, AND THE CRASH OF THE UNITED STATES--
ER, UNITED AIRLINE FLIGHT 93 IN PENNSYLVANIA.
NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THIS TERRIBLE ACT OF TERRORISM.
WE GATHER TODAY TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
IN THIS SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE, AND TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY
TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR WORLD.
WE ARE HONORED TO WELCOME MANY OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN
WHO HAVE JOINED US.
YOU REPRESENT THOSE WHO COMMIT TO THE PROTECTION
OF OUR SAFETY AND FREEDOMS EVERY DAY.
TO THE POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND RESCUERS WHO RUSHED TO GROUND ZERO,
WE ARE FOREVER INDEBTED FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND COURAGE.
AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES
AND PUT YOUR LIVES IN HARM'S WAY TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM.
IN SAFETY, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT
AND WILLINGNESS TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY.
OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN DEMONSTRATE OUR COUNTRY'S ETHICS
IN SELFLESSNESS...
SACRIFICE, AND COURAGE ON THAT DAY AND DAYS SINCE.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE LINDSEY ACOSTA
TO SHARE A READING WITH US.
LINDSEY IS A GRCC STUDENT, HAS SERVED IN THE NAVY,
AND IS A SPOUSE OF AN ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIER IN THE MILITARY.
(applause)
>> "WE PRAY AND WE WAIT FOR OUR MEN TO COME HOME,
"FROM DEPLOYMENTS AND MISSIONS THAT SEEM SO LONG.
"WE TRY NOT TO WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT THEM,
"AND KNOW THAT THEY ARE SAFE IN GOD'S HAND.
"WE TRY TO KEEP BUSY AND NOT SHED ANY TEARS,
"FOR WE KNOW WE'LL BE TOGETHER BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
"AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LONGER TO WAIT, THE REUNION WILL STILL BE JUST AS SWEET.
"WE DO OUR BEST TO BE STRONG AND THEY KNOW
"WE THINK OF THEM ALWAYS, EVERYWHERE THAT WE GO.
"WE PRAY THAT GOD KEEPS A CLOSE EYE ON THEM,
"FOR IT IS OUR FREEDOM THAT THEY DEFEND.
"KNOWING THAT THEY LOVE US FROM FAR AWAY,
"WE THINK, 'I CANNOT WAIT FOR THAT GLORIOUS DAY.'
"WE WELCOME THEM BACK IN OUR LOVING EMBRACE,
"NOT KNOWING ALL THE DANGERS THAT THEY HAD TO FACE."
(applause)
>> THANK YOU, LINDSEY.
NO AMOUNT OF TIME WILL COMPLETELY HEAL THE WOUNDS
FROM THE TRAGEDY EXPERIENCED ON SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001.
HOWEVER, WE OFFER THAT WE CAN CONTINUOUSLY MOVE FORWARD
TOWARD A WORLD THAT ACTS UPON PEACE, INCLUSION, AND COMPASSION,
OVER DIVISION, HATE, AND VIOLENCE.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE VARIOUS MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY
TO COME FORWARD AND OFFER A REFLECTION OR PRAYER
ON THE SUBJECT OF PEACE FROM THE VARIOUS WORLD'S SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
"MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE," FROM SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI.
"LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE.
"WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SOW LOVE.
"WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON.
"WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH.
"WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR, HOPE.
"WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT.
"WHERE THERE IS SADNESS, JOY.
"OH, DIVINE MASTER, GRANT THAT I MAY NOT SO MUCH SEEK
"TO BE CONSOLED AS TO CONSOLE.
"TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS TO UNDERSTAND.
TO BE LOVED AS TO LOVE.
"FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE.
"IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED.
"AND IT IS THINE THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE."
(applause)
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE AN ISLAMIC PEACE PRAYER.
SALAAM, GREETING OF PEACE.
"IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE,
"PRAISE BE TO THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE WHO HAS CREATED US,
"AND MADE US TRIBES AND NATIONS, THAT WE MAY KNOW EACH OTHER.
"THE ENEMY INCLINES TOWARDS PEACE, DO THOU ALSO INCLINES TOWARDS PEACE.
"AND GOD, IN TRUST, THE LORD IS THE ONE THAT HEARS AND KNOWS ALL THINGS,
"THE SERVANTS OF GOD.
"THE MOST GRACIOUS ARE THOSE WHO WALK IN THE EARTH'S HUMILITY.
"AND WHEN WE ADDRESS THEM, WE SAY 'PEACE.'"
(applause)
>> THIS PRAYER WAS WRITTEN ON SEPTEMBER 12th, 2011,
BY JUDYTH HILL, AND IS ENTITLED "WAGE PEACE."
"WAGE PEACE WITH YOUR BREATH.
"BREATHE IN FIREMEN AND RUBBLE, BREATHE OUT WHOLE BUILDINGS
"AND FLOCKS OF RED WING BLACKBIRDS.
"BREATHE IN TERRORISTS AND BREATHE OUT SLEEPING CHILDREN AND FRESHLY MOWN FIELDS.
"BREATHE IN CONFUSION AND BREATHE OUT MAPLE TREES.
"BREATHE IN THE FALLEN AND BREATHE OUT LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS INTACT.
"WAGE PEACE WITH YOUR LISTENING-- HEARING SIRENS, PRAY LOUD.
"REMEMBER YOUR TOOLS-- FLOWER SEEDS, CLOTHES PINS, CLEAN RIVERS.
"MAKE SOUP.
"PLAY MUSIC, MEMORIZE THE WORDS FOR THANK YOU IN THREE LANGUAGES.
"LEARN TO KNIT, AND MAKE A HAT.
"THINK OF CHAOS AS DANCING RASPBERRIES,
"IMAGINE GRIEF AS THE OUTBREATH OF BEAUTY OR THE GESTURE OF FISH.
"SWIM FOR THE OTHER SIDE.
"WAGE PEACE.
"NEVER HAS THE WORD SEEMED SO FRESH AND PRECIOUS-- HAVE A CUP OF TEA AND REJOICE.
"ACT AS IF ARMISTICE HAS ALREADY ARRIVED.
"CELEBRATE TODAY."
(applause)
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A PRAYER-- A SUFI PRAYER-- FOR PEACE.
"SEND THY PEACE, OH LORD, WHICH IS PERFECT AND EVERLASTING,
"THAT OUR SOULS MAY RADIATE PEACE.
"SEND THY PEACE, OH LORD, THAT WE MAY THINK, ACT, AND SPEAK HARMONIOUSLY.
"SEND THY PEACE, OH LORD, THAT WE MAY BE CONTENT
"AND THANKFUL FOR THY BEAUTIFUL GIFTS.
"SEND THY PEACE, OH LORD, THAT AMIDST OUR WORLDLY STRIFE,
"THAT WE MAY ENJOY THY BLISS.
"SEND THY PEACE, OH LORD, THAT WE MAY ENDURE ALL,
"TOLERATE ALL IN THE THOUGHT OF GRACE AND MERCY.
"SEND THY PEACE, OH LORD, THAT OUR LIVES MAY BECOME DIVINE VISION
"AND IN THY LIGHT, ALL DARKNESS MAY VANISH.
"SEND THY PEACE, OH LORD, OUR FATHER AND MOTHER,
"THAT WITH THY CHILDRENS ON EARTH MAY ALL UNITE IN ONE FAMILY.
"AMEN." (applause)
>> I'M SHARING A JEWISH PRAYER FOR PEACE.
"MAY WE SEE THE DAY WHEN WAR AND BLOODSHED CEASE.
"WHEN A GREAT PEACE WILL EMBRACE THE WHOLE WORLD.
"THEN, NATION SHALL NOT THREATEN NATION, AND HUMANKIND WILL NOT AGAIN KNOW WAR.
"FOR ALL WHO LIVE ON EARTH SHALL REALIZE
"WE HAVE NOT COME INTO BEING TO HATE OR DESTROY.
"WE HAVE COME INTO BEING TO PRAISE, TO LABOR, AND TO LOVE.
"COMPASSIONATE GOD, BLESS ALL THE LEADERS OF ALL NATIONS.
"WITH THE POWER OF COMPASSION, FULFILL THE PROMISE CONVEYED IN SCRIPTURE,
"'I WILL BRING PEACE TO THE LAND, AND YOU SHALL LIE DOWN
"'AND NO ONE SHALL TERRIFY YOU.
"'I WILL RID THE LAND OF VICIOUS BEASTS AND IT SHALL NOT BE RAVAGED BY WAR.'
"LET LOVE AND JUSTICE FLOW LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM.
"LET PEACE FILL THE EARTH AS THE WATERS FILL THE SEA.
"AND LET US SAY, 'AMEN.'"
(applause)
>> GOOD MORNING.
THE FOLLOWING IS A READING FROM HIS HOLINESS, THE DALAI LAMA,
GIVEN DURING HIS NOBEL PEACE PRIZE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH IN 1989.
"I BELIEVE THAT ALL SUFFERING IS CAUSED BY IGNORANCE.
"PEOPLE INFLICT PAIN ON OTHERS IN THE SELFISH PURSUIT
"OF THEIR OWN HAPPINESS OR SATISFACTION.
"YET, TRUE HAPPINESS COMES FROM A SENSE OF PEACE AND CONTENTMENT,
"WHICH, IN TURN, MUST BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE CULTIVATION OF ALTRUISM,
"OF LOVE AND COMPASSION,
"AND THE ELIMINATION OF IGNORANCE, SELFISHNESS, AND GREED.
"THE PROBLEM WE FACE TODAY-- VIOLENT CONFLICTS, DESTRUCTION OF NATURE,
"POVERTY, HUNGER, AND SO ON, ARE HUMAN-CREATED PROBLEMS,
"WHICH CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH HUMAN EFFORT, UNDERSTANDING,
"AND A DEVELOPMENT OF A SENSE OF BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD.
"WE NEED TO CULTIVATE A UNIVERSAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE ANOTHER
"IN THE PLANET WE SHARE.
"I BELIEVE ALL RELIGIONS PURSUE THE SAME GOALS--
"THAT OF CULTIVATING HUMAN GOODNESS AND BRINGING HAPPINESS TO ALL HUMAN BEINGS.
"THOUGH THE MEANS MAY APPEAR DIFFERENT, THE ENDS ARE THE SAME.
"AS WE ENTER THE FINAL DECADE OF THE CENTURY,
"I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT THE ANCIENT VALUES THAT WE HAVE SUSTAINED--
"MANKIND-- ARE TODAY REAFFIRMING THEMSELVES
"TO PREPARE US A KINDER, HAPPIER 21st CENTURY.
"I PRAY FOR ALL OF US, OPPRESSOR AND FRIEND, THAT TOGETHER,
"WE SUCCEED IN BUILDING A BETTER WORLD
"THROUGH HUMAN UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE, AND THAT, IN DOING SO,
"WE MAY REDUCE THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF ALL SENTIENT BEINGS."
(applause)
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THESE PERSPECTIVES
AND DEMONSTRATING TRUTH OF PEACE, MIND,
ALL OUR WORLD RELIGIONS AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE--
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A TIME TO OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE,
AND ALLOW EVERYONE TO REFLECT IN THE MANNER THAT IS BEST FOR HIM OR HER.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY TO OBSERVE THE TENTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
OF 9-11 TERRORIST ATTACK.
LET US NOT FORGET THE SENSELESS ACTS, VIOLENCE,
THAT SHOOK OUR NATION AND OUR WORLD.
AND THAT THERE IS, NO DOUBT, THOSE IN OUR WORLD WHO ARE MISGUIDED
AND SEEK TO HARM OTHERS.
HOWEVER, AS THE READINGS THAT WE HAVE SHARED TODAY ILLUSTRATE,
A CENTRAL AND UNIVERSAL THREAD AMONG THE WORLD'S FAITH AND VALUE SYSTEM
IS ONE OF UNITY AND PEACE.
MY HOPE IS THAT OUR FUTURE IS FILLED WITH MORE ACTS
THAT DEMONSTRATE KINDNESS, LOVE, COMPASSION, AND PEACE.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR MEMORIAL SERVICE.
AS YOU LEAVE, WE INVITE YOU TO PLACE A FLOWER AT OUR MEMORIAL SITE
AND KEEP THIS DAY IN YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS, AND AS YOU--
AND ASK YOU TO WAGE PEACE, WHEREVER YOU GO.
THANK YOU.
(applause)