In the morning on the fifth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Birmingham HUD Field Office workers gathered on the rooftop to pay their respect and to honor the victims and rescue workers of 911. This location was chosen so they could look out over the Birmingham skyline, with its noted financial center operating from many of the high-rise office buildings visible to them. Some pondered what it must have been like to witness such symbols of this great country's wealth, success, and democracy taken down, without any regard to the precious lives that would be affected.

The Birmingham HUD Field Office Director asks the staff for a Moment of Silence in remembrance of the victims and heroes of 911.

The Field Office Director asked for a moment of silence for the innocent men, women and children who lost their lives in the plane crash in Pennsylvania, at the Pentagon, in the World Trade Center, and on the streets of New York;

The heroic New York City firefighters, police officers and Port Authority officers who lost their lives while saving the lives of thousands;

Members of the rescue and recovery teams who worked past exhaustion and whose experience at Ground Zero will leave a lasting impact on their lives;

The thousands of family and friends who lost loved ones and today relive that grief and horror that will be with them forever;

The firefighters, police officers, government workers, and military personnel who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom and serving our democracy;

Our national and global leaders who must have the courage and wisdom to do what is necessary to protect our nation and promote freedom, democracy and peace throughout the world; and finally,

Their personal heroes or anyone they know themselves who was or has been affected by the tragic events of 911.

At the close of the remembrance, Vicky Gill said, "I was humbled by this morning's ceremony. As a veteran of the U. S. Army, I have stood next to my military brothers and sisters at duty; this morning, I stood next to my civilian HUD family during a brief 911 memorial ceremony with my eyes filled with tears. Tears of sadness for the indefinable loss to our country, tears for all the families without their loved ones since 911, and tears for those who still feel a need to threaten another human life."

"The men and women of HUD in Birmingham and from other offices throughout the country, who took time from their day for this observance, are kind and compassionate people and I am honored to be among them," said Field Office Director, Cindy Yarbrough.