NEW YORK, N.Y. -- As the world marks the 10th Anniversary of the events of September 11, the words of former St. Louis Cardinal broadcaster Jack Buck from September 17 should be remembered.

Six days following September 11, Major League Baseball returned to the field of play.  In St. Louis, Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck took the podium before the game to answer the question that was on all of the sports world mind: Should games be played in light of the tragedy?

Buck answered the question via poem he authored during the period of the 11th through 17th:

Since this nation was founded under God,
more than 200 years ago,
we’ve been the bastion of freedom . . .
The light which keeps the free world aglow.

We do not covet the possessions of others,
we are blessed with the bounty we share.
We have rushed to help other nations . . .
Anything . . . Anytime . . . Anywhere.

War is just not our nature . . .
We won’t start, but we will end the fight.
If we are involved,
we shall be resolved,
to protect what we know is right.

We’ve been challenged by a cowardly foe,
who strikes and then hides from our view.
With one voice, we say there’s no choice today,
there is only one thing to do.

Everyone is saying the same thing,
and praying that we end these senseless moments we are living.
As our fathers did before, we shall win this unwanted war.
as our children will enjoy the future we’ll be giving.

- Jack Buck
September 2001

On this day, remember not only the people who lost their lives a decade ago and during the past 10-year period, but those who were left behind to cope, rebuild and inspire.  Time they say heals wounds, but it does not wipe the memories of the past.