Thousands will remember an American tragedy.

USA (MNN) — Thousands of churches nationwide will pay special tributes to heroes tomorrow. It’ll mark the second anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Coordinated by the Mission America Coalition, “Honor Our Heroes” services will remember the courage and sacrifice of police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel during and after the attacks while recognizing the importance of community heroes. “We are recommending
that pastors encourage people to bring to the service those who have been a hero in their own lives, so that they may be honored as well,” says Rev. Glenn Barth, the events’ national coordinator.

Some 80,000 people made decisions for Christ during 9/11 services in 2002, MAC officials say. More than 60 denominations, representing more than 200,000 churches and dozens of ministries such as Campus Crusade for Christ and the International Bible Society are endorsing the events.

President George W. Bush will attend a morning prayer service of remembrance and observe a moment of silence to mark the 9/11 anniversary. He will attend a service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Then the
president, his wife, Laura, and members of his staff will gather outside the White House to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

Bush also plans to sign two proclamations, one of them designating Sept. 11 as a national day of prayer and remembrance and another designating the day as Patriot Day. It also will call on Americans to hold candlelight vigils and prayer services to mark the day and will direct the nation’s governors to fly the flag at half-staff in honor of the victims of the terrorist attacks.