Michelle Obama Kicks off First National Day of Service Sept. 11 2009

Michelle Obama, Julie Bindleglass, Shakir Cannon-Moye painting a Habitat for Humanity House

What a fab idea, part of United We Serve. Read Michelle Obama's call to service:

For most 9/11 families, today’s eighth anniversary of the horrific attacks stings as much as the past seven.

But some are finding new comfort in President Obama’s recognition of Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance - a measure pushed by U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in his final days.

“On 9/11, so many people came forward to do so many good things,” said Cindy McGinty, whose 42-year-old husband, Mike, was killed in the World Trade Center. “That’s what I would like the day to generate again.”

In that spirit, relatives of many Bay State victims will taken part not only in memorial services, but also community service projects, including a walk today on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway to benefit soldiers and their families.

McGinty, a board member of the Mass 9/11 Fund, said she’s happy Kennedy pushed his bill to create the National Day of Service and Remembrance, rather than make Sept. 11 a national holiday. Kennedy was a key ally and voice for the Massachusetts victims beginning the day of the attacks, and McGinty and other Bay State 9/11 families sat vigil with Kennedy’s casket during his wake.

“Let’s recall that goodwill and service people did on 9/11 and show these horrible people they can’t keep us down,” McGinty said. Read more at BH