As the soot¹ and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.

As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building
We became one class.

As we lit candles of waiting and hope,
We became one generation.

As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the Inferno,
We became one gender².

As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.

As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke³ one language.

As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.

As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.

As we cried tears of grief⁴ and loss,
We became one soul.

As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.

We are
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people.

We are The Power of One.
We are United.
We are America.