A free concert for peace was hosted by the City of Charlottesville last Tuesday to commemorate the anniversary of September 11, 2001. Alongside the waterless fountain and park benches of Central Place at the Downtown Mall, children of all ages and adults of all walks of life gathered together to remember those who lost their lives six years ago.
Charlottesville was one of more than 160 cities around the world that took part in the September Concert series of musical performances dedicated to celebrating peace and harmony in the community, according to NBC 29 reporter David Douglas. As this event was Charlottesville's second annual concert, local residents were thriving with excitement and dedication for such a good cause.
"This [was] a night to remember our connections with each other and our community and to do our part as Americans," Charlottesville resident Julie Convisser said.
Though rain during the day threatened to dampen the night, the weather turned and fall showed its head through the clouds with a breeze. A civic synergy permeated the evening with the liveliness of music, poetry readings and a candlelit vigil walk on the Downtown Mall.
The crowd stood silently with their hands over their hearts as the Jackson-Via Elementary's Liberty Chorus led the night with an a capella performance of the national anthem. The four children smiled nervously as the crowd cheered. Looking into their eyes, I knew they were proud to warrant such respect from the crowd.
As the children took their seats, Douglas and Jenn McDaniel, another NBC 29 reporter, engaged the audience with anecdotal accounts of their memories of the tragic day.
Douglas urged the audience to remember the lives lost at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. with the same reverence and emotion as those at the Twin Towers in New York. Because he was in high school in D.C. at the time of the attack, Douglas said, the event was especially "emotionally shaking and severely close to home."
Jenn McDaniel related a story of particular resonance. Her father was supposed to be on the American Airlines Flight 11, the plane that hit the second tower, but because of an eerie premonition, he felt he should stay a day later with his family. This seemingly simple and quick decision allowed him his life.
Touched by the elusive hand of fate, McDaniel was almost in tears by the end of her story. The audience felt the emotion that she conveyed in this profound story and no doubt many silently remembered their own stories of avoiding disaster or clash with unspeakable tragedy.
The tone of reverence shifted to a lighter note as a high school rock band, The Wave, took the stage. A product of the Music Resource Center, a Charlottesville-based program designed to promote musical education, The Wave played covers from Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other legendary artists. The Wave, with an equal amount of fervor and enthusiasm from the audience also played a few of their original collaborative works.
With "Willie De" on lead guitar and vocals, "Avery" on drums and "Marsh Mahon" on bass guitar, The Wave encouraged the younger crowd to dance with childlike enthusiasm, while the older crowd nodded and tapped their feet in accordance and with approval. The mood was light-hearted and upbeat.
As another band set up its stage, the audience was invited to share their individual stories. The audience was reminded that it takes a group of individuals -- not just one person -- to promote peace. Few stories were shared, but the moment was peaceful and full of meaning.
A banner held up by fellow peace supporters quoted our honorable Thomas Jefferson: "Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it."
That night, the members of the Charlottesville community were brought together on harmonious conditions.
The candlelit procession that led up the east end of the Downtown Mall was serene. As I rubbed shoulders with strangers, I felt closer and prouder to be an American because of the common values of peace that I knew we so honestly shared.
From the words of John Lennon, someone who can more eloquently say it than I:
"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one."
This night of remembrance filled the skies with music and the future with hope.
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