The New Jersey State AFL-CIO pays tribute to the thousands of working men and women – firefighters, police officers, Building and Construction Trades workers, airline pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, bus drivers, and countless selfless people – who sacrificed or risked their lives to come to the aid of their fellow Americans during one of our nation’s greatest times of strife. We pray for those families who lost loved ones to give them strength during this somber day of remembrance. We honor our troops who are courageously fighting overseas.

 

Eleven years later, the wounds from 9/11 still remain. Our nation continues to evolve, and working men and women are there every step of the way to make sure our country moves forward. Our travel security officers are a critical line of defense for our nation and to maintaining a safe transportation system. Public employees are supporting families by ensuring they have access to important government relief programs. Building and Construction Trades workers risked their health and well-being to clear the debris from ground zero and are now putting the finishing touches on the Freedom Tower. (CLICK HERE to watch a video about the Helmets to Hardhats program which allows our returning troops to acquire the skills needed to succeed in the building trades and transitions them from defending our nation to building our nation.) All the work we do matters; it unites us, and it strengthens us as a nation.

 

When we are united we can persevere through even the greatest trials and tragedies. But being united also means that we can achieve the greatest triumphs and feats. What matters most is that we stay united, through the bad and the good, and continue to move forward.

 

We encourage everyone to take this day to remember. Remember those who lost their lives, our troops, our workers, all those who make our nation a safer better place.