The New York Says Thank You Foundation

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2011, we had the privilege of extending to the family of Dr. King, and hundreds of newly sworn-in citizens of the United States who had just completed their naturalization ceremony at the MLK Center in Atlanta, the historic opportunity of placing a stitch in The National 9/11 Flag. May we all do things big and small, today and every day, to strengthen our national and social fabric.

A beautiful note about the power of Dreams and the impact our volunteers made on the life of one special man.

On December 7, 2010, a mother and father who lost their son in Afghanistan solemnly placed a stitch in the Hawaii patch of The National Flag aboard the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor. While Carolyn Deters placed the needle and thread in their hands, FDNY firefighter Brian Fitzpatrick stood Honor Guard for this sacred moment of remembrance and healing. Never forget the sacrifice of so many through the generations who have given their all to secure our freedom from tyranny.

On this Veterans' Day we acknowledge the service and sacrifice of all our military veterans and their families who have secured our freedoms with their commitment to our Nation through the generations and given us all the opportunity to choose our destiny. We owe you a debt that cannot be repaid other than through living up to the highest ideals of our civic responsibility and being there for one another just as you were there for us.

The greatest compliment ever.

TODAY IS 9/12. TODAY WE RISE. TODAY WE SHOW THE WORLD LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE.