McCain, Obama To Speak At 9/11 Forum On Community Service

August 22, 2008 1:35 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) will both be participating at a forum on volunteerism and community service set for Sept. 11.

The candidates will discuss separately their plans and thoughts about "the role of citizenship and service in post-9/11 America" on the first night of the forum. The two-day summit, called "A Nation of Service," will coincide with the the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and the annual "Tribute in Light"ceremony near Ground Zero. It will be moderated by Time magazine managing editor Richard Stengel.

"The Summit will be an important remembrance of those that made the ultimate sacrifice serving their country and others as we focus on how to inspire others to serve causes greater than their own self-interest through national and community service," McCain told WNBC.

"After Sept. 11, Americans of every age, race, region and walk of life were ready to step up and answer a new call of service for their country... Making that call to service will be a central cause of my presidency, "Obama is quoted by the NY Daily News.

Both candidates have pledged to stop running negative campaign ads on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks after a non-profit group, MyGoodDeed.org, asked them to impose a moratorium to mark the day, according to ABC.