Under a cloudy sky with a hint of sunlight squinting through, soldiers and civilian employees at the Madigan Healthcare System joined hands around the Madigan Pool.

This simple action reinforced the idea that in light of the attack on the United States on 9-11, Americans have not forgotten and are unbroken in their resolve.

To mark and honor the day, Madigan held a 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony: Remembering the Past; Embracing the Future last Thursday morning.

"This day is a special day," said Col. Jerome Penner, commander, as he looked back - sometimes with tears in his voice - on that day nine years ago.

Behind him floating on the water were the numbers 9-11.

Made by Col. Elizabeth Mittelstaedt, interim deputy commander for nursing, and her husband, Paul, the yellow painted numbers gently rode the waves.

And prompted reflection.

"9-11 should be a national holiday," continued Penner in remembering and honoring the lose of the Americans who died on that day and the suffering of their family members.

"We should also celebrate the heroes and the patriotism of the police officers, fire fighters and health care responders, the bravery of those on Flight 93," he continued.

The attacks on September 11, 2001 were a series of coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaeda.  On that day, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners.

The hijackers intentionally flew two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing almost 2,966 individuals.

The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon, killing 125 civilians and military personnel.

A fourth plane was deliberately crashed into a Pennsylvania field when the passengers took over the aircraft.

It is a chapter of American history that Penner took a moment to direct to approximately 85 fifth graders from Evergreen Elementary School who attended the ceremony.

"9-11 is this generation's ‘day of infamy," Penner told the students.

Moments later, the students, civilians and servicemembers spread out around the pond and linked hands.

The message was clear - the circle of faith that binds America is unbroken.