The presidential candidates may disagree on much, but they agree on the importance of volunteer service. They each discussed the topic in separate interviews during a forum at Columbia University on the seventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

“The best way to commemorate, and the best way to show our appreciation for and our love and sympathy for the families of those who have sacrificed, is to serve our country,” McCain said. Obama said that service is a way to honor those who died in the attacks, not just on the anniversary, but every day.

Their stragegies for encouraging public service differ. Obama said he would propose a $3.5 billion program to provide incentives for volunteerism such as tuition tax credits for college students who participate in public service. McCain envisions less of a governmental role, and said he would like to see the private sector more involved. “Volunteer organizations that are completely separate from the government, have nothing to do with the government, are amongst the most successful,” he said.

The candidates briefly appeared on stage together between their interviews. And though they are in a tight contest with less than two months to go, the forum was remarkably void of political attacks. But don’t expect the same in their next joint appearance – the first presidential debate on September 26.