9-11 Memorial

John Jeansonne

July 6, 2008

Thirteen days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Yankee Stadium was site of an inter- faith prayer service and group hug featuring prominent politicians, religious leaders and a crowd of approximately 50,000. Cardinal Edward Egan, Imam Izak-El M. Pasha, Rabbi Arthur Schneier and the Rev. Calvin O. Butts were in attendance along with former President Bill Clinton, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer, Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

With the pitcher's mound covered by a red, white and blue flower bed, bunting draped over the outfield wall and a huge flag streched over the bleachers, the stadium presented a somber, patriotic mood for a two-hour event emceed by Oprah Winfrey and James Earl Jones. Lee Greenwood sang his patriotic standard "God Bless the USA," while the crowd waved flags, sang along and shouted USA! USA!"

Though all 55,000 printed tickets were not used, the service - billed as "A Prayer for America" - was simulcast on giant screens at KeySpan Park in Brooklyn and Richard Country Bank Park in Staten Island, the minor-league fields of Met and Yankee farm teams.