Mpls Group Honors Fallen Soldiers And 9/11 Victims

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, many will spend time at memorials and remembrance ceremonies. In north Minneapolis, volunteers honored the victims and service members in a different way: Their goal was to show how the tragedy a is helping to improve a community.

For the first time in Minneapolis, a group of volunteers is taking part in the the National Day of Service and Remembrance at the Victory Memorial Drive, a place that honors those who lost their lives during WWI.

"You kind of wonder what their lives were like too and what their stories were," said Rita Williams, a volunteer.

As Williams spent the morning cleaning off the plaques dedicated to the fallen, she was also thinking of the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.

"I think from 9/11 we're kind of all looking for what can we do, or how do we remember," Williams said.

Rita joined 250 others who marked the 9/11 anniversary with a service in north Minneapolis.

"This was just one little activity we could do, and it feels kind of good when you do it," Williams said.

Tracy Steiner, another volunteer who made cards for soldiers overseas, said that the service may bring a smile to the faces of those who sacrifice to serve their country.

From greeting cards for soldiers to neighborhood improvement projects, the volunteers spent several hours on different endeavors.

In one such project, the Loring Community School got some much needed ground maintenance, thanks to Penny Clauson and her family.

"For us, you know, this is what we can do to support the community," Clauson said. It's our little way of chipping in when it's not our job to do the bigger job."

As the nation remembers the tragedy that forever changed our country, the hope is that everyone remembers the sense of service that came in the days that followed.

"I can take a little time out of my day to give back," Steiner said.