"Let your hopes, not your hurts shape your future." - Robert Schuller
 
 
Dear Families and Friends,
 
 
On the 16th Anniversary, we gathered once again - in New York City, at the Pentagon, in Shanksville, PA, and in our local communities to remember and reflect. Much like September 11, 2001, the air was crisp, the sky was cloudless and the sun shined brightly.
 
As always, the Anniversary is a time to remember and pay tribute to the 2,977 precious lives lost, our son Brad being one of them. Though everyone has their own way of commemorating the day, I find solace in attending the ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. The ceremony is conducted with great dignity as each name is respectfully read. Each time the bell is rung everyone takes pause for a moment of silence, which brings us all back to the finality of the day. Yet at this year's ceremony the presence of young children of all ages seemed to signify both the passage of time and our hope for future.
 
The anniversary is also a time to gather with the 9/11 community - family members, survivors and responders and those wonderful individuals who stepped forward and played an important role in our healing. We share an unspoken bond and during our journey together we have provided each other with comfort and support.
 
September 11 is a day to remember all those who have been affected since - the survivors and responders who are still suffering from medical and mental health conditions due to their exposures to toxins in the air. We remember and pay tribute to the over 1,000 responders and survivors who have perished because of 9/11 related illnesses. We also give thanks to the brave men and women of our military who risk their lives every day and remember the more than 5,000 military members who made the greatest sacrifice to protect our country.
 
Reflecting on all that has happened since 9/11, I cherish the many gifts that have come out of a tragic day. I am most grateful for the generosity of so many - my family and friends who stood by my side and my colleagues from around the world that I've had the pleasure to work with. Each September 11 they take time to remember our son Brad and the other 2,976 who perished that day. I am very fortunate and grateful for their continued love and support.

Warm regards,


Mary Fetchet & the VOICES Staff
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Voices of September 11th (VOICES) is a 501c3 nonpartisan organization that provides information and a wide range of support services to promote resiliency and address the long-term needs of all those affected by September 11th; commemorates the lives and stories of September 11, 2001; and advocates for public policy reform to promote national preparedness.  VOICES is committed to helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from traumatic events, by sharing lessons learned that will promote resiliency and healing in the lives of those impacted by other tragedies.

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