Terri Domitrovich and her sons Adam, 4, and Nicholas, 8, rear, listen to the ceremony at the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. Gov. Kenny Guinn declared Sept. 11 "Patriot Day" in the state of Nevada during the ceremony which drew more than 500 people.
Abdul Barghutti of the Northern Nevada Muslim Community urged more than 500 people gathered on the Capitol grounds Wednesday to help heal the divisions between the peoples and religions of the world.
He and other religious leaders led memorial services at the Capitol as Nevada's leaders remembered those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Barghutti urged the crowd to "be united in our love for freedom, united in our love for peace, united in our love for humanity and united in our love of America."
He was joined by Rabbi Myra Soifer of Temple Sinai in Reno and the Rev. Jeff Paul of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
"It's time to set aside our obvious differences and embrace a much different reality," Paul said.
Gov. Kenny Guinn echoed a similar theme, urging spectators to "come together as Nevadans," while Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., sent a message urging a "heightened awareness" by citizens to help root out terrorists.
The theme of unity and compassion was expressed in messages from both Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev.
Ensign urged every Nevadan to "make today a day of introspection and compassion." He told them to go home from work on time, spend time with their families.
"And make today a positive and meaningful opportunity to unite our communities."
Flags in front of the Capitol were lowered to half staff to honor emergency personnel who died in the rescue attempts one year ago as Guinn declared Sept. 11 "Patriot Day" in the state of Nevada. A C-130 cargo plane from the Nevada National Guard flew over the Capitol as part of the ceremony.
