e-Newsleter
October 12, 2007
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
october 12, 2007
DEAR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS,
This week, photographer Brownie Harris, shared with me a selection of the family portraits he took of many of you at our "Preserving 9/11" Forum and Commemorative Luncheon. I was struck by the resiliency that was conveyed in so many of the photos. The very moving photographs emphasized the strong bonds between friends and family that have grown and endured over the past six years. They also reinforced the important role of the 9/11 community in keeping alive the memories of our loved ones through the stories of those who survived.
Over the next several months we will be hosting 9/11 Living Memorial workshops in Brooklyn, Staten Island, New York and New Jersey. Next week we will be in New Vernon, New Jersey on Thursday, October, 18th at the home of Loreen Sellitto. Space is limited so we encourage you to contact us at VOICES if you are interested in attending. Bring photographs, memorial programs and other mementos to be digitized or photographed that will commemorate the life of your loved one. Visit our website for a full list of items we are including in the digital archive. (LINK)
October is National Depression screening month. From October 22 to October 25, we 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.
In closing, I encourage you to visit our Guest Book which is located in the 9/11 Living Memorial site. Many individuals wrote very touching notes of support to our families following the sixth anniversary. The pages of letters of encouragement were very meaningful to me and I’m certain you will enjoy reading them as well. Feel free to share your thoughts and reflections when you visit the site! (LINK)
Warm Regards,
Mary Fetchet
Founding Director
VOICES PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Preserving 9/11 Forum Presentation
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.
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
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:
|
||