It is extremely refreshing to see the Presidential candidates take a step away from their individual campaigns in order to come together and remember the events that took place 7 years ago yesterday. Kate Pickert's article "McCain, Obama Keep It Civic" in TIME displays McCain and Obama's willingness to set aside their own agendas for the day to speak of volunteerism and service among Americans. It was appropriate to focus on those pertinent values that we saw from those brave Americans 7 years ago.

Both McCain and Obama agreed that more should be done to promote service. However, McCain prefers the private sectors remain responsible for service as Obama proposes additional public agencies specifically to further volunteerism. Obama wants the "government to have a role" in boosting American morale and service, especially necessary since overall morale has declined of late with the war in Iraq continuing forward without an end in sight.

While both candidates have strong, admirable backgrounds in service, the "tuition reimbursement for teachers in underserved communities," the "creation of an Energy Corps to help develop renewable energy technologies," and the "tuition tax credits for college students who participate community service" seem like interesting and creative ways necessary to increase service and morale in our country. I believe that it is creativity like this that will jump start our nation again, giving hope where it is desperately needed.