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Finally, I want to thank everyone for the tremendous response to my suggestion last week to enroll in the September 10th Information Forum and September 11th Commemorative Luncheon. An updated schedule of events is listed on our website. If you plan to attend, please enroll now so we can plan meals,
materials and the little touches that make the Information Forum and Commemorative Luncheon so special. Please read over the materials and
register now by clicking this web link for the Information Forum and Commemorative Luncheon.
Feel free to contact our office with any questions by phone (866) 505-3911 or by email at email@voicesofsept11.org.
Warm Regards,
Mary Fetchet
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VOICES Launches New Website |
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VOICES is very excited to announce the launch of our new website. Thanks to your input and months of dedicated work from our team and the outstanding web-design firm VanGennep Design, VOICES believes we have a web-based product that will help serve the ongoing needs of the 9/11 Community and the general public for years to come. The best way for you to get acquainted with the site is to visit lf and explore (www.voicesofsept11.org), but below are brief summaries of some of the most important features of the site with direct links. As always, we need your help to make the new website the best it can be. Send us an email with suggestions or comments, or post your ideas in the new Discussion Forum.
Remembering and Healing: Learn more about the support programs VOICES provides for all those affected by September 11th.
VOICES for Change: Learn more about VOICES efforts to support the implementation of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and advocate for legislation to implement necessary security and government reforms.
VOICES Around the World: Learn more about VOICES Building Bridges program, which fosters outreach and cultural exchange programs to communities affected by terrorism around the world.
9/11 Living Memorial: The 9/11 Living Memorial is an online resource dedicated to preserving memories of the victims of the September 11th attacks, as well as the inspirational stories of heroism and sacrifice told by survivors and rescue and recovery workers. Also housed here are heartfelt responses to the attacks: songs, poems, artwork, quilts and other works dedicated to those lost on 9/11 and those who carry on. We will Always Remember. The 9/11 Living Memorial is a work in progress, and we hope you will help us by submitting content and suggestions.
Forum and Luncheon Information and Registration: We have a special page dedicated to the Voices of September 11th annual September 10th Information Forum and September 11th Commemorative Luncheon to mark the Fifth Anniversary. The theme of the two day event is “Remember and Renew.” This page has a comprehensive schedule for the Forum and links for you to sign up.
Surveys: This section will host a “Question of the Week” online poll to gauge the feelings of VOICES website users on a hot topic. Also on this page are more in-depth surveys VOICES has conducted, including Our 9/11 Fifth Anniversary National Survey, which asked a representative sample of Americans questions on topics ranging from preparedness to the 9/11 Memorial at the WTC site.
Articles and guidance from Dr. Robin F. Goodman: Included here are the articles written for VOICES members throughout the year by Dr. Robin F. Goodman, VOICES Director of Family Programs. Dr. Goodman's articles are great resources for resiliency and wellness advice tailored to specific times in the year.
Discussion Forum: This feature allows VOICES website users to discuss topics of interest to them or offer comments on the site.
Calendar: A monthly view of events of interest to the 9/11 Community. Check back for regular updates, especially for the many events around the anniversary.
Newsroom: The News Room section of the website is designed to make it easier for members of the media to learn about what we do here at VOICES, as well as facilitating contact between the media and members of the 9/11 Community who wish to be interviewed. Also hosted here are VOICES press releases and news articles that feature quotes from Mary Fetchet.
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World Trade Center Updates |
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Preliminary construction on the WTC Memorial began Wednesday with excavation for the footings of “Reflecting Absence,” by Michael Arad and Peter Walker. "Today we are starting construction. This is a process and I'm looking forward to the completion of this process but it's an incredible moment to be here today and see it begin," Arad is quoted in a New York Observer article.
The Memorial is scheduled for completion by September 11, 2010. The memorial design was revised this year to cut the cost down to $500 million. "It's taken some time to navigate, but today we're starting this heavy construction, and it's a powerful signal that we're actually building the memorial now," said WTC Memorial Foundation Acting President Joe Daniels, as quoted in a New York One report . Daniels heads the ongoing effort to raise the remaining $170 million needed to finance the Memorial. Hopefully, the ongoing drilling and excavation work will encourage donors who have held back their support thus far.
Narrated by Academy Award® winners Kevin Costner and Hilary Swank, "On Native Soil" thoughtfully details the personal stories of tragedy and triumph that led to the formation of the 9/11 Commission and the publication of the Commission's landmark report. From miraculous individual feats of survival to the final recommendations to make America safer, this moving documentary features never-before-seen interviews from families directly touched by the tragedy, including VOICES Founding Director Mary Fetchet.
Also interviewed are members of the Commission, as well as Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, former top-level FBI and CIA counterterrorism officials, and many others. "On Native Soil" is a Jeff Hays Films Production. Produced by Linda Ellman and Jeff Hays. Directed by Linda Ellman and Co-Executive Producer Alan Winters. The documentary is rated TV-14 and could contain imagery that is difficult for some 9/11 Family Members to see.
Press Release
Premieres Monday, August 21 at 10pm E/P
Encores Sunday, August 27 at 2pm & Sunday, September 10 at 12pm
The On Native Soil DVD Special Edition DVD will be in stores August 22.
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September 11th Arts and Artisans |
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 Dianne Brudnicki -- A Seattle art teacher, personally financed a book of artwork created by her students that was distributed to 9/11 families. The children’s artwork has been featured on the VOICES website and on display at our annual Information Forum. This year, Dianne’s students created "friendship boxes," wooden or metal containers decorated with expressions of friendship and support, created for the 9/11 children. Click here to watch a KOMO (Seattle) TV report on this wonderful project that will be distributed to the 9/11 children at the VOICES September 10th Information Forum and September 11th Commemorative Luncheon.
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Other Resources and More Information |
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In addition to recording in private room at the Marriott Financial Center during VOICES September 10th Information Forum, to help accommodate all who are interested, StoryCorps booths in New York City will be open extended hourson September 9, 10, and 11. The Lower Manhattan booth, which is near the Mariott Hotel, will have reservation slots available every hour beginning at 9:30 am, with the last slot starting at 7:30 pm. The booth at Grand Central Terminal will also be open and accepting reservations. To make a reservation at either of these booths, please call Tracy at 646.723.7025 x32. Please visit our web site at www.storycorps.net for guidance in preparing for your interview and to hear short excerpts of past recordings.
VOICES of September 11th wants to help you get the word out about memorial events taking place around September 11th this year. If you are planning an event, please email us with the event name, date, location, and contact information as well as a brief description. We are soliciting information on various types of events including: Memorial Foundation fundraisers, community remembrances and memorial dedications, mental health or resiliency support, cultural events, informational meetings, and others as well. A running calendar of events has been posted on our website and will continue to be updated. Add your event to our listings today!
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