Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 11, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke Leads Inspirational Sept. 11 Memorial & Procession; Event Remembers and Honors ‘Everyday Heroes’

Gov. Gary Locke spoke of duty and heroism, and urged citizens of Washington to volunteer as a legacy of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Locke led the “Washington State September 11 Memorial & Procession” in downtown Seattle. The memorial at Westlake Center was the centerpiece of statewide events memorializing the victims of last year’s attacks and honoring “everyday heroes” across Washington.

“Let us make a pledge together that when we leave here today, we will each do one tangible real thing to improve our community, our state, our nation,” Locke said. “Let us make September 11, 2002, a day we remember as a proud turning point. We must all strive to be everyday heroes, because America at its best and strongest is a nation of everyday heroes.”

“Everyday heroes” representing Washington’s 39 counties stood on the balcony above the governor next to their county flags. The heroes were selected by their counties for making a profound difference in their communities.

A solo bagpiper signaled the start of the service and five religious leaders provided the invocation: Sister Joyce Cox, Archdiocese of Seattle; The Rev. Kathlyn James, Seattle First United Methodist Church; Jamil Razzak, Idris Mosque; Rabbi Daniel Weiner, Temple De Hirsch Sinai; and Lonnie Selam Sr., Yakama Nation spiritual leader.

After the invocation, the Seattle Men’s Chorus performed “For the Fallen,” leading into a statewide minute of silence at 12:15 p.m. Survivors, victims’ family members and the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard then rang a memorial bell 21 times honoring those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.

The program also included remarks from Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and King County Executive Ron Sims. World Trade Center survivor Tammy Rosbrook provided an inspiring perspective on heroism.

Concluding the program, the Seattle Men’s Chorus and Debbie Cavitt and the Leschi Elementary School Choir from Seattle Public Schools led the crowd in singing “We Shall Overcome” and “God Bless America.”

Locke and his wife, Mona, lit a candle of remembrance and together with Nickels and Sims led the one-mile silent procession to Seattle Center, where the city planned additional observances.

The procession included police vehicles from the City of Seattle, King County and Washington State Patrol, the Honor Guard carrying U.S. and Washington flags, and Washington’s 39 “everyday heroes” carrying their county flags.

Earlier in the day, Locke visited firefighters at stations in Olympia, Tacoma and SeaTac. The governor plans to participate in memorial services in Spokane later today, including one at Fairchild Air Force Base and the Spokane County Memorial Event, as well as visit a firehouse in the area.

More information can be found at the governor’s Sept. 11 Web site at http://www.governor.wa.gov/remember/remember.htm.

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