November 03, 2008

Dear Families and Friends,

Last week I attended The National Homeland Defense & Security Symposium VI in Colorado Springs, CO, the nation’s leading public forum for dialogue on homeland defense and security.  This year’s theme was “Securing our Homelands through International Collaboration; Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” It was encouraging to hear experts from government agencies, industry and the military discuss the progress that has been made – and promote cooperation between nations to address our vulnerabilities.   

On a related note, the 9/11 Commission documented that we are clearly more vulnerable to a terrorist attack during the transition from one administration to another.  On September 11th I had an opportunity to talk with Senator Obama and Senator McCain during their visit to Ground Zero.  I conveyed to each of them my concerns about our national security at this time of presidential transition.  Although our nation is understandably focused on the economy, I wanted their assurance that the safety of our nation and its citizens is of the highest priority for the president-elect. 

On the eve of the election, I want to encourage each of you to exercise your constitutional right to vote! 

Warm Regards,

Mary and the Voices Staff

VOICES Programs and events

9/11 Living Memorial Workshop Schedule

VOICES is hosting several 9/11 Living Memorial workshops in the coming months. The workshops provide an opportunity for our staff to work with you to create a permanent family tribute to your loved ones and document memorial foundations and other events that celebrate their lives. We also invite rescue workers and survivors to document your personal first-hand accounts. Please bring items for our staff to digitize such as photographs, memorial programs, written tributes and other information, as well as any tangible items such as quilts, artwork and other mementos you would like us to photograph. We also accept copies of audio and video tapes.  Visit our website for a list of items to consider when creating your archive.     

The 9/11 Living Memorial is a permanent web-based archive commemorating the lives and stories of September 11, 2001. The multi-faceted archive, located online at www.911livingmemorial.org includes photographs, memorial programs, newspaper articles, personal keepsakes and will include audio and video. Since launching the project in September 2006, VOICES has hosted over 60 workshops in nine states. Over 500 comprehensive family tribute sites have been created. This year VOICES set a milestone of creating a page for each of the nearly 3,000 victims, along with an individual guestbook so family and friends can write remembrances. To register for one of the workshops below, contact Michelle Doherty at VOICES of September 11th, (203) 966-3911 or by e-mail to mdoherty@voicesofsept11.org. We invite you to plan a workshop in your community or to schedule an appointment in our Connecticut office.

KBW, New York
Date: Wednesday, November 5th for KBW families
Time: 10am to 5pm by Appointment
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY

Manhasset, NY
Date: Thursday, November 20th
Time: 11am to 5pm by Appointment
Location: Manhasset Public Library, 30 Onderdonk Avenue, Manhasset, NY 11030

New Brunswick, NJ
Date: Wednesday, December 3rd
Time: 12pm to 5pm by Appointment
Location: New Brunswick Development Corporation, 120 Albany Street, Tower 1, Seventh Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

KBW, New York
Date: Wednesday, December 10th for KBW families
Time: 10am to 5pm by Appointment
Location: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, 787 7th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY

Teleconference Schedule:

Voices of September 11th offers teleconference groups that are facilitated by our mental health professionals. The teleconference groups provide an opportunity for those impacted by 9/11 to talk with others that share their same experience. Please contact our office at (203) 966-3911 if you are interested in participating.
Tuesday, November 4th: Parents Group 3:45pm to 5:00pm
Wednesday, November 5th: Firefighter Mother’s Group 10:00am to 11:00am
Wednesday, November 5th: Widows w/No or Older Children Group 11:30am to 12:30pm
Wednesday, November 5th: Afternoon Siblings Group 3:30pm to 4:30pm

events and INFORMATION FOR THE 9/11 COMMUNITY

If you would like to include your upcoming event in our calendar, please forward the information to events@voicesofsept11.org

In the News

Alleged Bin Laden aide convicted in Guantanamo
A 39-year-old Yemeni man alleged to have been Osama Bin Laden’s media aide has been found guilty of solicitation to commit murder, conspiracy and providing material support to terrorism at the second war crimes trial at Guantanamo Bay.

The jury of military officers convicted Hamza al-Bahlul after a week-long trial. Al-Bahlul refused to defend himself. He could face life in prison. Prosecutors alleged that he was Al-Qaeda’s media chief and made propaganda videos for the organization aimed at recruiting suicide bombers.

Read more.

TSA May Ease Airline Liquid Restrictions in 2009
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expected to ease up on what passengers can and cannot bring on board their flights in the coming year. Due to current X-ray machines? inability to differentiate between dangerous and safe liquids, passengers are asked to keep their carry-on fluids in containers under 3 ounces- an amount that, even if dangerous, would not be of fatal danger to an airplane, said USA Today. Thanks to advancements in X-ray technology, however, machines at security checkpoints will be able to tell the difference between harmless and explosive liquids. The TSA expects this to go into effect no later than 2010. For more information, Click here