Statement of UAW President Ron Gettelfinger on the Anniversary of September 11

DETROIT, Sept. 11 -- The following is a statement of UAW President Ron Gettelfinger on the anniversary of September 11:

UAW members in workplaces across the nation will join millions of Americans on September 11, as we pause to honor those who lost their lives last year. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family members and friends.

As a country we are still dealing with our grief and horror. Each of us will remember and mourn in our own way: observing a moment of silence, attending community memorials or participating in church, mosque or synagogue services. But, we will continue to draw support and strength from each other and to focus on the values that really matter: Family. Community. Solidarity.

One year after tragedy struck our nation, let us not forget that America is a union. We are individuals from many different places, from many different religious and ethnic backgrounds, joined together by common ideals and a common purpose.

It is only by joining together and standing together that we can truly honor the victims of September 11 by building a stronger, fairer and more inclusive America.

The UAW is one of the nation's largest and most diverse unions, representing more than 1.3 million active and retired workers in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.