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America Unites
The Grace to respond to evil without becoming evil.

Under sombered skies, President Bush and four former presidents led the nation in prayer for healing today. "Those of us who are gathered here -- Muslim , Jew, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu -- all people of faith want to say to this nation and to the world that love is stronger than hate," said Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon, opening the service on what Bush had decreed a national day of prayer and remembrance.

Former presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton surrounded their successor in the front pews at the National Cathedral. The president, arriving with first lady Laura Bush, appeared to fight tears as he greeted his father, George Bush, with a quick handshake. The Rev. Billy Graham, a long-time counselor to American presidents, prayed that the country would "feel the loving arms of God wrapped around us" but told Americans it was alright to be angry.

"You may even be angry with God. I want to assure you that God understands these feelings that you have," said Rev. Graham, 82. "Yes, our nation has been attacked. ... But now we have a choice whether to implode and disintegrate emotionally and spiritually as a people and a nation, or whether we choose to become stronger through all of the struggle to rebuild on a solid foundation." Graham spoke about the gravity of our national crisis. Due to hisfailing health, he has turned down many recent invitations.

A busy schedule for president Bush was making a grim pilgrimage to New York City "to thank and hug and cry" with survivors and rescue workers at Ground Zero, where tons of debris are all that remain of the once-towering World Trade Center.

Dean Nathan Baxter prayed in his invocation that the president and his national security team, as they plot retaliation on the terrorists, be guided by "the grace of God, that as we act we not become the evil we deplore."

Most congregants, including Bush's mother, pinned a loop of red, white and blue ribbon to their lapels. But for all the hope and solidarity that those ribbons meant to convey, the entire assembly -- from the sea of dark suits to the mournful dirges of so many choirs -- had the feel of a national funeral.

With most of the Cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court justices, congressional leadership and former presidents assembled under one roof, Vice President Cheney did not appear. The Secret Service spirited the vice president, first in line to succeed Bush in the event of catastrophe, to the secluded safety of Camp David on Thursday afternoon.

Everyone arrived at the Cathedral under the most strict security, while carrying umbrellas in the driving rain. Helicopters flew low overhead. Across the street, a lone woman in a yellow rain slicker held a soggy poster: "Pray for America."

President Clinton accopained his daughter Chelsea's hand. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton came separate. Her face showed the strain and sleeplessness of the trauma her New York constituents have been through in the last few days.

The Bush administration provided an Air Force plane so that Bill Clinton and Al Gore, could fly together from New York, where the two had just returned from overseas travel.

At a separate service in the Pentagon, military men and women wiped tears from their cheeks as they sang "God Bless America." One hymnist wore her camouflaged field uniform. Army Maj. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp Jr. sat with a bible on his lap. At his turn to speak, Van Antwerp told some 250 packed into an auditorium, "My heart pains for you and I pray that God will comfort you."

The assistant chief of staff for installation management carried his own grief. His secretary and administrative assistant were killed in Tuesday's attack.

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