Mayor Wildes' Remarks

Tragic events like Sept. 11 are remembered as humankind’s darkest days. We rebuild together as an act of collective healing. Today we join together to make a visible, lasting commitment with our unity. We express the solemn emotions we feel, through the strong symbolism of dedicating a memorial; and the items we selected to build this memorial, the tree, and our library. We are here to day to remember.

Englewood’s community remembers that several of our fellow citizens are not with us today. We come together to reflect on their lives and the way they touched those amongst us.

The way that they lived, feelings that their families and friends shared, the joy they brought, the support they offered, their very presence, we take pause to remember.

Though we can never replace them, we can do our best to commemorate their lives and further the ideals they shared with our community.

It is fitting that we commemorate their lives by planting a tree. Throughout the many cultures that live together in our community, a tree has special symbolism. Trees have life, they grow tall, and powerful. Trees have endured the ages. This one in particular will flower and blossom for years.

And is just as fitting that we plant it at a library. Libraries are a source of education, to learn about others, to dispel prejudice, bigotry and hate.

We therefore beautify our library, our community and our center of learning---with a tree an enduring symbol of life.

We stand here today as a unified community and nation in solidarity with the victims of Sept. 11. They are remembered by the community that they worked, lived, and loved. We join with their families, neighbors, and friends who have loved and lost so much. We are committed to rebuilding from the horror that took them away from us.

As we stand here I also think of our brothers and sisters in the Military who are now in harms way. We thank them for their service and sacrifice. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Michael J. Wildes

Mayor

Paid for by Friends of Michael J. Wildes, Claudia Colbert, Treasurer