This is a speech (with original punctuation) about heroes that Bob Kennel, writer of a Sept. 13 letter to the editor, gave to N.C. State University alumni in 2008. In the piece, titled "Four prayers from a hero," he details the story of John Cerqueira, an NCSU alum who rescued a woman from the twin towers on 9/11.

It's been tough watching 9/11 footage and stories; the loss, the horror feels present all over again.

Still, it's worthwhile thinking about that day, if only to help us remember our country's values, and the ways they've been challenged and sustained.

"The Space Between" (9 tonight, USA) is a powerful and beautifully told story of intolerance and discrimination, using the theme of loss to show how much we have in common, despite our differences.

Here are 20 letters from readers commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Some of these you will see in the paper Sunday. Please add your own comments about how the attacks changed you or on what you think the best and worst U.S. responses were.

With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, the country is reflecting on a national story, one that transformed the U.S. in many ways. But that national story is also made up of a million personal stories that had made the tragedy resonate, and perhaps, transformed us in many ways.

"George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview" (10 tonight, National Geographic Channel) explores the president's story, which has the distinction of being both a personal one and a national one. In the end, we're left with a telling portrait of a leader reflecting on a moment that shaped his leadership.

See a gallery of the day's best photos from around the world.

See photos from 9/11 memorial services from around the country.