AUGUST 24, 2007

DEAR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS,

The Sixth Anniversary is rapidly approaching and most of us feel a strong sense of anticipation. August has been a busy month for all of us at VOICES, as we put final touches on the agenda for the September 10th “Preserving 9/11” Forum and Exhibits and September 11th Commemorative luncheon. 

The September 10th forum will begin with a 10:30am presentation by representatives from the Office of the NYC Medical Examiner’s office. The presentation will provide 9/11 families with an update on the ongoing search and identification of remains.  The afternoon program will open with the dedication of a magnificent 26ft X 15ft “9/11 Cross-stitch Quilt” presented by Mary Henderson and Shirl Cross from Richmond, Kentucky.

The “Preserving 9/11” workshops and panel discussions reflect the overwhelming need to commemorate the lives of those who perished and document the firsthand stories of survivors, rescue workers and corporations. The forum will provide an opportunity to learn more about the 9/11 Living Memorial digital archive which will preserve the stories of 9/11 for generations to come.  Our staff will be available throughout the day to answer any questions or assist you in digitizing your mementos.  In addition, we have a very impressive group of panelists who will provide expertise in preserving your priceless keepsakes and share their personal experience of documenting 9/11. A link to the detailed agenda is included in this week’s newsletter.

In closing, we are truly excited about this year’s program and have had a wonderful response thus far.  We hope you will join us and encourage those who have not yet registered to contact our office.  My best wishes to you and your family as we approach the anniversary.

Warm Regards,

Mary Fetchet

Founding Director

"Preserving 9/11" Forum Spotlight: "9/11 Cross-stitch Quilt" Dedication

This year's Forum program will begin with the dedication of a magnificent “9/11 Cross-stitch Quilt” presented to the 9/11 families by Mary Henderson from Richmond, Kentucky. The quilt dedication will begin at 12:30 pm following Forum registration at 12 noon.

The 26ft by 15ft "9/11 Cross-stitch quilt" was created by Mary with Shirl Cross and women from 6 countries and over 30 states to honor the men and women killed on September 11th and in the WTC 1993 Bombing. Mary’s first quilt tribute was in memory of all the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11, donated in their memory to the firefighters in Ten House located across from ground zero.

The "9/11 Cross-stitch Quilt" is a wonderful tribute to those lost on 9/11 and a tangible symbol of support for the families. We hope you will join us at the "Preserving 9/11" Forum and Exhibits as we accept the generous donation of the quilt on behalf of the 9/11 community. Click to learn more about the "9/11 Cross-stitch Quilt" and view additional photos.

Office of New York City Medical Examiner to Update VOICES Members

Please note an additional presentation has been added to the The Voices of September 11th “Preserving 9/11” Forum agenda

What: NYC Office of the City Medical Examiner Update on Recovery and Identification

Date: September 10th, 2007

Time: 10:30am to 11:30am

Where: Voices of September 11th “Preserving 9/11” Forum, Marriott Financial Center Hotel, 85 West St. NYC

Who: Barbara Butcher, Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Mark Desire, Assistant Director and WTC Identification Manager, Forensic Biology Laboratory

The Voices of September 11th “Preserving 9/11” Forum has been expanded to include an early morning presentation by representatives from the New York Medical Examiner’s office. Registration opens at 10am and the presentation is scheduled to begin promptly at 10:30am. The September 10th presentation is intended to update 9/11 families on the search and identification of remains. Time will be allocated to provide an opportunity for families to ask questions. Please RSVP if you plan to attend by contacting Michelle Doherty at mdoherty@voicesofsept11.org or by calling (203) 966-3911 or toll-free at (866) 505-3911.

The Medical Examiner’s staff will also be available throughout the day on September 10th to make ID cards which serve as identification for family members to attend 9/11 events. Families are encouraged to update your contact information or make any changes you would like in the notification process.

VOICES “Preserving 9/11” Forum and Exhibits are open to the public and will be held at the Marriott Financial Center Hotel, 85 West Street, NYC, adjacent to the WTC site. Registration to attend the panel discussions and workshops begins at 12 noon and the programs continue until 5 pm. Please visit our website for an updated schedule.

Online Forum Schedule Available on Website

The schedule for the September 10th "Preserving 9/11" Forum and Exhibits is available online. Explore the hyperlinks in the schedule to learn more about the exciting array of panel discussions and activities.

Click to visit our online schedule (check back regularly for updates)

Learn more about our plans for September 10th and 11th by reading our 2007 Commemorative Events page.

LAX “Recovering Equilibrium” 9/11 Memorial (Los Angeles)

The tragic events of September 11th have touched the hearts of people across the country and have inspired people to unite in the memory of those lost to senseless acts of terror. In Los Angeles, the community has come together to honor and remember the victims of September 11th through a magnificent memorial titled “Recovering Equilibrium”. Many forget that Los Angeles was the final destination for three of the four hijacked planes on that fateful day, and for that very reason many feel that LAX is the perfect place for this memorial. "Our airport was tragically linked to the terrorists attacks on our nation, as three of the four hijacked flights were bound for LAX. It is fitting and meaningful to memorialize the day and its tremendous impacts with this artwork here at LAX ." said LAWA Interim Executive Director, Kim Day in an interview for the Los Angeles World Airports webpage.

This particular memorial, the work of the art and design team of BJ Krivanek and Joel Breaux was selected from a large group of entries. It is shaped like a compass and features words and phrases that reflect national perceptions, rights, and ideals. These words and phrases include: Home of the Brave, Civil Rights, Made in America, Sea to Shining Sea, Opportunity, Equality, and Justice. Cultural Affairs Department general manager, Margie J. Reese, expressed in her interview that, "The design of the artwork symbolically depicts our personal journey since the tragedy. We hope that each person will walk away with a unique experience.” To learn more, visit the 9/11 Living Memorial page for the LAX “Recovering Equilibrium” 9/11 Memorial.

Preparedness Update:

VOICES Promotes September as National Preparedness Month

Once again in 2007, VOICES is proud to support September as National Preparedness Month in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security. National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action.

As a National Preparedness Month coalition member, VOICES will highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement through events and activities across the nation in our weekly e-Newsletters and our web site. A selection of tips of the day and other preparedness resources are currently available on the right hand sidebar. Stay posted to VOICES Preparedness page for updates.

Also, a number of National Preparedness Month events in the New York tri-state area have been added to the VOICES calendar. For other states, visit the National Preparedness Month calendar.

Legislative Update:

9/11 Panelists Prepare a Follow-Up Report

Former 9/11 Commission Chair Tom Kean and vice-chair Lee Hamilton will produce a report on the progress of their recommendations to coincide with the sixth anniversary of 9/11. Kean and Hamilton have been working with former aides to assess the government’s actions since the final report of the 9/11 Public Discourse Project in December, 2005. "These continued efforts would ensure that Congress and the administration remain focused on full implementation of what I feel are vital reforms," VOICES founding director Mary Fetchet is quoted in Baltimore Sun coverage. Read more in VOICES Legislative Update section.