e-Newsletter
October 26, 2007
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october 26, 2007
DEAR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS,
In the past several weeks VOICES has reached a major milestone. With your participation, more than 1,000 Family Tributes have been added to our 9/11 Living Memorial digital archive. Some families have just begun the process, while others are continuing to add photographs and tributes to commemorate the lives of their loved ones. This week we are featuring the 9/11 Living Memorial family tribute to David Bernard, which includes a wonderful memorial garden created in Washington DC in his name.
The recent wildfires in California have turned my thoughts once again to the importance of preparedness. Fortunately San Diego had the foresight to implement a reverse 911 phone system that automatically dialed warnings to more than 350,000 homes, helping people to safely evacuate. We have a similar system here in New Canaan, CT which was recently implemented during flooding conditions due to heavy rains. These two emergency responses highlight the importance of empowering citizens with accurate and up-to-date information. Visit our site for a list of resources and information on preparedness.
VOICES has a busy couple of months ahead of us. To conclude the month of October we will again offer anonymous depression and anxiety screenings over the phone this week. In November we will continue our outreach by hosting 9/11 Living Memorial workshops in Brooklyn and Staten Island. We encourage families, survivors and rescue workers to attend and participate in this important project.
All of us at VOICES wish you and your families a very safe and happy Halloween!
Warm Regards,
Mary Fetchet
Founding Director
VOICES PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
VOICES Offers Free Depression and Anxiety Screenings by Phone, October 29 to November 2
VOICES of September 11th will offer free, anonymous depression screenings over the telephone for people who think they may be suffering from depression. Since September 11th, 9/11 families, survivors and rescue workers, as well as members of the general public, are reporting symptoms of depression. The screenings will be offered on Monday October 29 through Friday November 2 from 8:00am to 4:00pm EST.
The screening takes approximately 15 minutes and is conducted by a mental health professional. Screenings are available for adults and adolescents who are at least 14 years of age. Parents of children ages 6 to 13 may call on behalf of their children. Callers will be asked to answer questions. Based on their responses, the screener will provide a score and explain the results. Appointments may also be scheduled for a face-to-face interview at the Voices of September 11th office, 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT. You can call us toll free at (866) 505-3911.
Living Memorial Workshops in Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY
VOICES will hold two workshops in Brooklyn, NY on November 7 to help families, survivors and first responders to create content for the 9/11 Living Memorial digital archive. The workshops will take place at Our Lady Help of Christians at 1315 East 28th Street, from 1:00-3:00pm and from 5:30-7:30pm. Reservations are required.
On November 14, the VOICES team will be in Staten Island, NY to conduct two 9/11 Living Memorial workshops at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 397 Clarke Avenue. The workshops will take place from 1:00-3:00pm and from 5:30-7:30pm. Reservations are required.
The workshops will begin with a brief presentation on the 9/11 Living Memorial. Then Debbie Westfal, Family Liaison, will help you to begin creating a 9/11 Living Memorial tribute for your loved one. Please bring items you would like to include on your loved one’s tribute pages, such as photos, memorial programs and any other mementos you would like us to photograph or digitize. For a full list of items that we are including in the digital archive visit the list here. To view other family tribute pages visit www.911LivingMemorial.org.
If you would like to attend one of these workshops, or you would like to have us run a workshop in your area, please contact Michelle Doherty at VOICES (866) 505-3911, mdoherty@voicesofsept11.org
The 9/11 Living Memorial digital archive is dedicated to commemorating the lives and stories of September 11, 2001 and the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
9/11 LIVING MEMORIAL FEATURE
Family Tribute to David Bernard
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Our 9/11 Living Memorial feature this week is the family tribute to David Bernard, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. David, who was 57, was an industry specialist in the IRS based in Boston. On September 11, 2001 he was on his way to a meeting at the IRS offices at 7 World Trade Center. He was struck by falling debris and died of his injuries three months later.
David is remembered through the Dave Bernard Award established by the IRS, which honors an employee who has made an outstanding contribution in the areas of vision, leadership and technical expertise, and the Dave Bernard Memorial Foundation, which aims to improve the quality of life, with a focus on families and children. The tribute page also shows the Dave Bernard Memorial Garden at the IRS Building in Washington DC, as well as the tribute published by Northeastern University. |
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David’s Living Memorial pages tell the story of a man who loved life, and especially golf, but disliked most vegetables, matching socks and yard work. His tribute pages tell of his 3-month fight for life and his wife Nancy’s vigil by his side. Pictures include happy times with Nancy and his three children and his travels around the world, as well as the charred remains of his IRS badge and his memorial quilt.
EVENTS AND INFORMATION FOR THE 9/11 COMMUNITY
Terror Watch List Too Large to be Effective?
The government’s terrorist watch now contains more than 755,000 names, prompting fears about its effectiveness. Sen. Joe Lieberman, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, told CNN that the "sheer size" of the list raises concerns. Lieberman, I-Connecticut, said the list contains an even higher number of records than 755,000.
"It contained 158,000 names including aliases in July 2004," Lieberman said during a hearing on the list. "That grew to 755,000 names by May of this year, and now stands at about 860,000 names just five months later. That's nearly a 500 percent increase in three years." Read more at our website
Airports Object to Background Checks
Two leading airport associations have asked the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to rescind or revise a new security policy that mandates government background checks of new airport hires, including waiters, sales clerks and custodians, according to USA Today. The associations say that the policy, which went into operation on October 1, is not working, and that businesses are having difficulties because of the inability to hire new employees. A TSA spokeswoman said that they will work with the associations to work out the delays, but will not back down on vetting people. Read more at our website
November 8, 2007
6:30pm
Mark Hindy Charitable Foundation
The 6th Annual Cocktail Reception
The El Caribe Country Club
5945 Strickland Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
RSVP: 718-238-1798
http://www.markhindycf.org
November 17, 2007
Door 8:30pm/Show 9:30pm
The Marc S. Zeplin Foundation
6th Annual Benefit Concert
The New Lions Den 214 Sullivan St.
Between Bleecker and W. 3rd.
New York City
The event will include a night of Springsteen's greatest hits and special rarities, as well as special guests, prizes and giveaways. Proceeds from this year's concert will be donated to Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
www.marczeplin.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
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