e-Newsleter
October 12, 2007
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
october 12, 2007
DEAR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS,
Yesterday we held a 9/11 Living Memorial workshop in New Jersey at the home of Loreen & Matthew Sellitto. As always, it was wonderful for the VOICES Staff to meet with families to help them begin their Family Tribute pages. All of us at VOICES want to thank Loreen and Matthew for generously hosting the event. In the coming months, we will be hosting 9/11 Living Memorial workshops in Staten Island and Brooklyn, NY.
I am just returning from a cruise to Canada with my family and must comment on the impressive security measures. Prior to departure, documents were filed and photo identification cards were created for each passenger. Once all passengers were aboard, we were equipped with life preservers and required to participate in a full ship emergency evacuation drill. Screening devices were used at each port to account for passengers entering and exciting. On a more sobering note, you have likely seen the article on how porous selected US airports remain. This data reinforces that we must keep pressing for an effective process with flawless implementation. You can read more in our newsletter below and on our website.
In closing, I’d like to remind you that VOICES will be conducting free depression and anxiety screenings over the telephone this coming week. The screenings are free of charge, confidential and facilitated by our mental health professionals.
As always, our best wishes to you and your family.
Warm Regards,
Mary Fetchet
Founding Director
VOICES PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Perserving 9/11 Forum Persentation
This week, we are sharing with a another presentation from our September “Preserving 9/11” Forum, which we feel will be of interest to many of you. The presentation, by Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler of the National Archives and Records Administration, which contains a wealth of advice on preserving your precious keepsakes and mementos. Click here to download the presentation.
LIVING MEMORIAL
WORKSHOP IN NEW VERNON, NJ
Thursday, October 18th
10am to 1pm
To be hosted by Loreen Sellitto in her home
RSVP: Michelle Doherty at VOICES,
(866) 505-3911, mdoherty@voicesofsept11.org
Space is Limited
The program will include a brief presentation on the 9/11 Living Memorial. Following the presentation Debbie Westfal, Family Liaison, will be available to begin creating a 9/11 Living Memorial tribute page for your loved one. Please bring some items you would like to include on your loved one’s tribute page, such as photos, memorial programs, written tributes, and any other items you would like to share. Michelle Doherty, Social Worker, will be available to assist.
Contact VOICES Staff for a Depression Screening
From October 22 to October 25, VOICES will be conducting anonymous depression and anxiety screenings over the telephone, between 8 am and 4 pm. Contact our office if you are interested in participating in a screening or would like information about symptoms. Parents may also participate in a screening to assess if your child may be suffering from depression.
9/11 LIVING MEMORIAL FEATURE
Martin Giovinazzo
Our Living Memorial Feature this week is the family tribute to Martin Giovinazzo, from Staten Island, New York. Born and raised in Staten Island, Martin was 34 years old on September 11, 2001. He was working as a maintenance mechanic for Marsh McLennan on the 93rd Floor of 1 World Trade Center.
Martin met his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy, in his early teen years, and they married in August 1990. His three children, Theresa, Ashley, and Andrew were all under six years old when he died.
Andrew enjoyed collecting baseball memorabilia, Marvel comics, and collectible Marvel paintings. His family tribute pages include the New York Times Portraits of Grief, pictures of his wife and children, and a variety of photos from his life.
There is also a memorial tribute to Martin from his family: “Martin was a hero, strong willed and full of life. He was a loving father and a good husband to his wife. Within our hearts he will always be remembered until we meet again in the end. Martin We Love You!”
EVENTS AND INFORMATION FOR THE 9/11 COMMUNITY
Busy Airports Miss Fake Bombs in Test
There was disturbing news today from a classified report obtained by the newspaper USA Today. According to the report, security screeners at two of the nation's busiest airports, LAX and Chicago O'Hare, failed to find fake bombs hidden on undercover agents posing as passengers.
Screeners at Los Angeles International Airport missed about 75% of simulated explosives and bomb parts that Transportation Security Administration testers hid under their clothes or in carry-on bags at checkpoints, the TSA report shows.
At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, screeners missed about 60% of hidden bomb materials that were packed in everyday carry-ons - including toiletry kits, briefcases and CD players. San Francisco International Airport screeners, who work for a private company instead of the TSA, missed about 20% of the bombs, the report shows. The TSA ran about 70 tests at Los Angeles, 75 at Chicago and 145 at San Francisco.
More coverage of the story:
Report Says Detective Didn't Die from 9/11 Dust
A report from the New York City Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Charles S. Hirsch, has concluded that the death of a city police detective who worked hundres of hours at Ground Zero was not caused by exposure to toxic dust from the site.
The report contradicts findings by a New Jersey pathologies who had found Detective James Zadroga's death "directly related" to Ground Zero dust. But Dr. Hirssch said that while "foreign material" had been found in the lungs of the detective, it had not come from the trade center site.
Read the full New York Times Story here.
ROBERT J. AQUINO and
THE NEW PARKWAY HOSPITAL -
1st Annual
Golf Invitational
The funds raised in this inaugural
event will be used to support the
WORLD TRADE CENTER
RESCUERS FOUNDATION.
Please join us in supporting these heroes.
SOFT SPIKES ARE REQUIRED
Spitzer Driver’s License Plan Under Fire
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s order that permits illegal immigrants to obtain New York state driver’s licenses has drawn widespread criticism across the state. One of those to criticize the plan was New York City Mayor Bloomberg, who said lawyers for the city believe the plan would not meet new federal ID requirements, meaning New Yorkers couldn’t use their licenses to enter federal buildings or go through airport security.
The governor says the driver’s license change is necessary to help bring illegal immigrants “out of the shadows.” Many illegal aliens drive without licenses and therefore carry no insurance, state officials say. When accidents occur, that leads to few financial and legal protections for legal drivers. In addition, the New York Times reports that the governor’s policy is drawing support from some terrorism and security experts who believe it may provide a means of bringing a hidden population into the open and ultimately making the system more secure. Go to the VOICES What’s New page for more details and to view coverage of the story.
Fourth Annual National Preparedness Month the most successful to date
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that a record number of national, regional, state, and local organizations participated in its fourth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM). More than 1,800 NPM coalition members coordinated at least 1,000 events and activities across America, reaching individuals, families, and diverse communities with the message of emergency preparedness.
“This coordinated effort helps to serve as an important reminder to millions of individuals to take steps to prepare,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “The large involvement from the public in National Preparedness Month 2007 reinforces the fact that a greater proportion of Americans are recognizing the need for personal responsibility in preparing for emergencies before they happen. However, this preparedness message must continue year-round to everyone in America.” DHS’s Citizen Corps and its program partners offered preparedness training and education, as well as opportunities for citizens to engage in efforts in their local communities. Find more information about preparedness at the VOICES website.
A Breath of Spring: Daffodil Planting at Haverstraw Bay Park Patriot Garden in Rockland County, New York. Sunday, October 28, 2007, 12:00p.m.
Rain or Shine!
Please bring 1-2 dozen standard size daffodil bulbs and planting tools.
Call for details:
Fran Sennas, 845.358.7720
~ Daffodils Symbolize Chivalry – They Stand Strong in the Winds of Spring ~
The USS New York
Learn about the USS New York, a US Navy amphibious transport dock ship whose bow stem is constructed with steel salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage, at a new website about the project, http://www.ussnewyork.com/index.html. The 684 foot long ship is now nearing 50 per cent completion.
VOICES has moved!
Please note our new address: 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
|
||