Patriot Day: Remembering the Fallen

“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.” –Barack Obama

Have you thought about how you and your family will be commemorating Patriot Day this year? This is the day our nation acknowledges those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Here are some ways you can honor the memory of those victims and heroes:

• Have a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. The North Tower of the World Trade Center was struck by the first hijacked plane on September 11, 2001 at 8:46 a.m.
• Search for “children's books about September 11” on Amazon. There are several appropriate for different age groups that are an excellent way to talk to your kids about what happened and how to deal with their fears concerning that event.
• Take homemade cookies to the local fire department or police station to thank them for keeping you and your family safe.
• Donate food to a local food pantry.
• Take CPR or first aid classes.
• Create care packages for a child at a homeless shelter.
• Have little ones color pictures or make greeting cards and drop off at the local assisted living facilities.

Remembering Patriot Day is a way to not only help out your community, but an opportunity to create memories with your family and show them how much they mean to you.