America Reborn

Usually at this time, we await the arrival of the New Year's babies -- those infants born on Jan. 1, who symbolize the start of a new calendar. But a whole new era began Sept. 11. In this letter to a handful of the infants born that day, we at USA WEEKEND Magazine express our belief in the bright future they have every reason to call their own.

Rhett Born: 9/11/01 Parents: Denise and Shawn Wombles Hometown: Wrightsville, Ga. Time of birth: 6:05 p.m. Kaitlyn Born: 9/11/01 Parents: Vivian and Anthony Nguyen Hometown: Anaheim, Calif. Time of birth: 11:19 p.m. Anne-Sophie Born: 9/11/01 Parents: Florence and Reginald Labossiere Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Time of birth: 8:46 a.m. Charlotte Born: 9/11/01 Parents: Monica and Larry McDermott Hometown: Media, Pa. Time of birth: 9:56 p.m. Jack Born: 9/11/01 Parents: Cathy and Joe Corrales Hometown: Dallas Time of birth: 5:33 p.m. Anastasya Born: 9/11/01 Mother: Michelle Cermak Hometown: Avondale, Ariz. Time of birth: 11:43 p.m.

Dear Rhett, Kaitlyn, Charlotte, Jack, Anne-Sophie and Anastasya,

Welcome, a belated happy birthday and, most of all, thank you.

Thank you for accepting our invitation to be part of this very special photo essay on babies born Sept. 11, 2001. On a morning just a few weeks ago, one of our photographers came to each of your homes, roused you from your cradles and placed you in front of a camera. The results, published here on the last weekend of this momentous year, will be seen by millions today. And it is our hope that by witnessing the beautiful lives that began on that dark day, the readers of USA WEEKEND Magazine will recognize the promise you represent and celebrate it as we do.

On that terrifying morning in September -- your birthday -- people stood horrified as they saw images on TV they never, ever thought they would see. Rightly, they looked dumbfounded at each other and said, "Nothing will ever be the same. Everything has changed forever." It seemed that evil had won the battle against good and that the very fabric of American life had been irreparably torn.

Although many things did, indeed, change that day, most did not. Planes crashed and towers crumbled, but the essential freedoms and spirit that make this country great were undiminished; in fact, they were strengthened. Those who hate our type of society thought that, by their heinous acts, they could weaken our nation. They thought that in a wounded United States children like you would face a dimmed future. But rest assured, children, you are Americans, and no terrorist act alters what that means.

It means you can grow up and become whatever you want; attend whatever church, temple or mosque you wish; marry whomever you love; listen to whatever music delights you; read whatever books you choose. You will vote in elections to determine who governs you. And if the elected no longer represent your views, you will vote them out of office. Charlotte, Anastasya, Anne-Sophie and Kaitlyn, you will enjoy the same opportunities as Jack and Rhett. Together you represent the rainbow of races that make up this country's richness, each of you unique, all of you equal. Someday a few of you may even be asked to defend this way of life with which you have been blessed, just as others now are defending it for you.

All children are blessings, renewing hope and asserting that life goes on. But children like you are even more special, arriving at a time when despair and loss of faith threaten to engulf an entire nation. Babies born on Dec. 7, 1941, or Nov. 22, 1963, were beacons of joy and affirmation when, for a brief and frightening moment, it seemed our nation had been dealt an insurmountable blow. Of course, those newborn Americans became adults who understood that, although we were tested, we did not fail.

You will grow up and inevitably see the footage of the terrible events that occurred the day you drew your first breath. As much as we would love to protect you from that, it is history, and you will be taught its lessons.

But the most important lesson is the one you will live every day. Like those other children born on days that live in infamy, you, too, will be vibrant testimonials to the persistence of the American success story and the failure of our opponents to bring it to an end.

So again, welcome, Kaitlyn, Charlotte, Rhett, Anne-Sophie, Jack and Anastasya. We wish you, infant citizens, a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. And we thank you for bringing irresistible joy to our pages -- and to our nation.

-- The editors

First-time mom Michelle Cermak had a very specific reason for naming her baby Anastasya. From the Greek word meaning "of the resurrection," it signifies "a new beginning, hope for a better future," she says. Anastasya was born Sept. 11. "The day the nation mourned the loss of thousands is the day I rejoiced at the birth of my daughter," says Cermak, a single mother who lives near Phoenix. "She has brought hope and happiness to so many people."

Cermak seems to speak for all parents of children born that fateful day. The joy of a new baby stood in poignant relief against the horrific terrorist events. Cermak watched the twin towers collapse from her hospital bed while in labor.

Many new parents, like Denise and Shawn Wombles of Wrightsville, Ga., were spurred to re-evaluate their priorities. Before Rhett was born, there was little time to rethink anything. In addition to their full-time jobs -- he's a training officer at a prison, she's a sales manager at a utility company -- Shawn is a volunteer firefighter and county emergency management director. Now the Wombleses focus on savoring precious moments with their son. "Not that we didn't enjoy life before," Denise says. But having Rhett that day made them realize "what's important and what's not."

Cathy Corrales felt selfish when little Jack was born, knowing one of the greatest moments of her life happened on such an awful day for America. But then a nurse stopped by her Dallas hospital room, hugged her and thanked her for letting her be part of the baby's birth. It was just what she needed, the nurse said. "It shows that God still blesses you," Corrales says. "Even on the worst day, there's a glimmer of hope." -- By Peggy Noonan