A day of remembrance

The second anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States was a day for Utahns to honor the thousands who died on 9/11 and in the nation's ongoing war against terrorism.

They gathered in a variety of places, including schools, places of worship, parks, shopping malls, downtown streets and a Sandy field to reflect on what was lost when four hijacked airliners crashed into sites in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C..

At the Khadeeja Islamic Center, a variety of Wasatch Front religious leaders called for peace and greater mutual understanding in the wake of 9/11.

Imam Shuaib-ud Din said at first the Muslim community had considered having a prayer service of its own to mark the anniversary. But "we decided it wouldn't be complete without all of you."

The service also included clergy from Bahai, Christian Science, Methodist, Jewish, Unitarian, United Church of Christ, Buddhist, Gnostic and Episcopal faiths, in addition to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Speakers emphasized both the human and the spiritual connections that bind all people as "brothers and sisters" who must learn to let love trump hate and peace overcome pride. Several offered prayers asking God to heal hearts, soften souls and forgive all who hold a grudge against those who differ from themselves.

"Spread the light of acceptance we feel here today to our neighbors, through the churches, the cities and the states of our nation," prayed Masood Ul-Hasan of the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake.

At Taylorsville High School, Margaret Wahlstrom, the Utah PTA individual development commissioner and a relative of two 9/11 victims, visited with schoolchildren and spoke of her family's loss.

"Our family gets asked a lot about how we cope with things . . . how we cope with the pain and agony that come every Sept. 11," said Wahlstrom, who lost her mother-in-law, Mary Alice Wahlstrom of Kaysville, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Beug of Los Angeles, on the American Airlines plane that was the first airliner to crash that day in New York.

One thing that helps her, she said, is "to see these kids and their faces" filled with love and kindness. Another is that the family has decided to mark the anniversary of the attacks by being of service to others.

Among the other events commemorating 9/11: