e-Newsleter
September 28, 2007
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september 28, 2007
DEAR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS,
I want to begin by thanking all of you who attended the September 10th and 11th events. Despite the solemnity of our reason for gathering, it was wonderful to see each of you, some for the first time.
The Forum provided an opportunity for families, rescue workers, survivors and corporations to learn more about the 9/11 Living Memorial digital archive. Thanks to the VOICES team, along with a wonderful group of Hewlett Packard volunteers, many began digitizing their keepsakes or adding information to family tribute pages.
Panelists shared their experience participating in the 9/11 Living Memorial project and experts provided tips on preserving priceless keepsakes. The NY State Medical Examiners Office provided an update on the identification and notification of remains. Alice Greenwald and her team shared an update on the National September 11 Memorial Museum. Over the next several weeks we will highlight many of their presentations.
The September 11th luncheon was very special as we commemorated the lives of those we lost with beautiful music, photographs and a candle lighting service. We were honored to have former New York Governor George Pataki, Governor Eliot Spitzer and First Lady, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congressman Earl Pomeroy join us.
The anniversary is always a time to reflect and find solace as we gather with the growing 9/11 community. I was touched by the heartfelt words of Shirl Cross and Mary Henderson, as they dedicated the magnificent 9/11 Cross Stitch quilt. Their words of support reminded us that 9/11 forever changed the lives of so many and reaffirmed the outpouring of support we have felt from around the world.
In closing, my special thanks to our dedicated VOICES staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the September 10th and 11th events a very special experience for us all.
Warm Regards,
Mary Fetchet
Founding Director
VOICES PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
As most of you know, we held our annual Forum and Sixth Anniversary Luncheon in New York City on September 10 and 11, 2007. The event marked the official launch of the 9/11 Living Memorial digital archive and was organized around the theme of “Preserving 9/11”.
A highlight of the Forum was the 9/11 Living Memorial Exhibit Hall, where family members shared treasured mementos and artisans displayed quilts and other artwork. Panels focused on preserving artifacts and updated attendees on the 9/11 Living Memorial digital archive and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. VOICES staff and volunteers from Hewlett-Packard were on hand to help families, survivors and first responders begin creating their 9/11 Living Memorial pages.
Click here for more information about the Forum.
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
This is the third week of National Preparedness Month 2007 and The Ready Campaign is impressed with the level of participation across the country. As a National Preparedness Month coalition member, VOICES thanks you for supporting the effort to be prepared for emergencies. Find out more at the VOICES site.
9/11 LIVING MEMORIAL FEATURE
Alexander Braginsky
“Shurik”
Alex Braginsky’s family tribute pages are among the newest additions to our Living Memorial digital archive. The story of creating Alex’s pages began when his mother, Nelly, came to the VOICES “Preserving 9/11” Forum in New York city on September 10th with his wallet, which she gave to VOICES staff members to photograph, to display in the Exhibit Hall, and to include in the Living Memorial. It was one of the first personal items from the scene found on September 12, 2001.
As she stood by Alex’s wallet in the 9/11 Living Memorial exhibit hall at the Forum, Nelly told reporters that she had no grandchildren to carry on his legacy. She came with the wallet because she believes it is so important to document Alex's life and to ensure that he will be remembered. Click here to read Nelly’s story in USA Today.
Alex was a man who loved New York and wanted to share the wonders of the city with friends and family. Having moved to Queens from the Soviet Union in 1979, he was proud of the city in which he worked as well as of his home in Greenwich, CT. Alex is remembered through the Alexander Braginsky Memorial Scholarship and through a park created in his memory in Israel. You can view Alex's family tribute pages by clicking here.
EVENTS AND INFORMATION FOR THE 9/11 COMMUNITY
9/11 Living Memorial Workshops: Save the date!
VOICES will be holding a 9/11 Living Memorial workshop in Staten Island on October 17 next. If you live in the area and would like to begin creating your Living Memorial pages, save the date and come and join us. Our tentative plans are to do two sessions, one from 2-4pm and another from 6-8pm. But we'd like to hear from you about what times are convenient. Call Michelle Doherty at (203) 966-3911 or e-mail mdoherty@voicesofsept11.org.
We are planning a number of workshops in the coming weeks. Watch this space or visit our website for further details.
Treatment for Complicated Grief
Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute asked us to post the following announcement:
Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute
Treatment for Complicated Grief
- Still grieving over the death of a loved one during 9/11 attacks?
- Feeling alienated or distant from people because of it?
- Does the grief still interfere with your life?
You may have Complicated Grief
We provide treatment at no cost to eligible participants.
For more information or for an appointment call the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Tel: 212-543-5367
(PDF)
Ask The Expert
Tuesday’s Children and Adelphi University are inviting all families directly affected by 9/11 to an event called “Ask the Expert” on Sunday September 30 at Adelphi University, Garden City, NY. Click here for more information.
9/11 Peace Story Quilt: Following the tragic events on September 11, 2001, the InterRelations Collaborative brought together young people from communities across New York City to document their experiences on 9/11. Click here to find out more.
VOICES has moved!
Please note our new address: 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
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