September 11, 2005

Dear Friends:

On this day four years ago, more than 2,700 of our loved ones, friends, and neighbors left home filled with hopes for the day ahead, and fully expecting to return to their families when it ended We know what happened instead, and we will never forget those we lost, or the enormity of the crime committed against them. On this fourth anniversary of 9/11, our City once again pays tribute to their memory.

On 9/11 and during the days that followed, New Yorkers endured enormous loss and grief. The damage inflicted that day was so profound that many people expressed fears about New York's very future. But the resourcefulness and bravery that so many New Yorkers showed on 9/11 also gave us an extraordinary example to follow. Because we remained calm and confident, and because we steadfastly carried ourselves in a manner worthy of those we had lost, we brought our city back.

Today, we will light candles and say prayers for those taken from us on 9/11 – and in the process, we will also remember London, Madrid, Jerusalem, Istanbul, and so many other parts of the world where terrorists have engaged in mass murder Our duty today is to reflect and remember; our duty every day is to overcome all those who hate and fear liberty and progress, so that we may finally secure for our children a world of freedom and peace.

Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor

NYC Office of the Mayor