Put It Above Ground

No discoveries today.

Both manholes 3 and 4 have been emptied but they are not searching through the material at this time.

Not exactly sure why but I think they do not want to search through material on site any longer.

This could cause a problem because as we predicted 11 Water Street will not be operational by 12/4.

It looks like they are at least 2 weeks behind schedule. The site will not be open before 12/18.

This may delay the identification of any remains found.

Numerous reports of friction between the Port Authority and the searchers.

It appears that the Port Authority is becoming less and less concerned with the search. (Priorities)

They will begin the trench on the haul road.

The first phase will be test borings which they will test for contaminants.

They also hope to get a snapshot of the debris below.

They are starting at the north end of the bridge and do not expect to find anything as it is mostly asphalt and concrete.

As reported the trench will be dug in the middle of the road.

There is a greater possibility of finds at the south end.

There are major concerns about how the DDC set up the grids for the search.

There is an entire triangular area at the south west corner of the site that has been left off the grid.

We will pursue this and keep you posted.

Put It Above Ground

Take a moment and read the article below from today’s NY Times.

This will be worth following as it will be a good indication as to where the priorities are at Ground Zero

Although Mr. Daniels, president and chief executive of the memorial foundation states:

“Since the names of the victims are being brought above ground, we have to protect the sanctity of the area around the memorial voids,�  “This is where people will go to honor those that perished. I am optimistic that the designers involved will strike that respectful and appropriate balance.�

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Put It Above Ground

 

The Intersection of Two Designs and Two Purposes  

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=33490

 

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of
the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wi fe and my child.

� What are you doing?� I asked without fear,
“Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!�

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light
Then he sighed and he said “Its really all right,

I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.�
“It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my
fathers before me.

My Gramps died at ‘Pearl on a day in December,�
Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas ‘Gram always remembers.�

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ‘Nam’,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue… an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.�

“So go back inside,� he said, “harbor
no fright,
Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.�

“But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,
“Give you money,� I asked, “or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.�

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
“Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.�

Over the next 3 weeks Where to Turn will be collecting new CD’s and DVD’s which will be forwarded on to our troops overseas and our soldiers in military hospitals.

Working with Operation DVD (see link below) we hope to help provide safe entertainment to all of those defending our country.

If your school or organization would like to take part in this effort either collecting or acting as a drop off point please contact us at 718-966-6531 to make arrangements.CD’s or DVD’s can also be mailed to

Where to Turn
150-L Greaves Lane # 312
Staten Island, NY 10308

We reached out yesterday to our local officials to have their offices at as drop of sites. The following have responded

ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE CUSICK
1911 RICHMOND AVE
STATEN ISLAND, NY 10314

COUNCILMAN ANDREW LANZA
3944 RICHMOND AVE
STATEN ISLAND, NY 10312

Dennis McKeon

OPERATION DVD

http://www.operationdvd.us/about.php

Take a moment and read the article below. Replace “Atlantic Yards” with “The WTC Site” and it is history repeating itself.

Citizens left out of the process, secret behind closed door meetings, claims of an open process

Sounds awful familiar.

The problem is they will continue to get away with it as long as we remain quiet.

Remember it is alot easier to to get forgiveness than it is to get permission

Maybe that should be the new state motto

Put It Above Ground

 

What Went Wrong With “Atlantic Yards?�

http://www.streetsblog.org/

No remains have been found as there has been very little activity over the last few days.

They are still trying to get 11 Water Street up and running by next week.

One important possible change in strategy.

They are now thinking about doing a straight trench the entire length of the haul road instead of the test pits.

The funny thing about this is that this is a JPAC procedure.

Had they had JPAC in this would have already been done as it is one of the first things that they do when they begin a site.

So about a month has been wasted and now they are partially following JPAC protocol.

While this is a step in the right direction it once again proves how haphazard the current plan is.

First they hire ex JPAC members who state that JPAC has no expertise in this type of search.

And now they are picking and choosing JPAC procedures.

Wouldn’t it make sense to bring JPAC in and let them do it right.

In the meantime we would ask for a commitment from the city to excavate the entire haul road if they find any remains or WTC remnants in the trench.

On another note we will be contacting Councilman Gershon’s office tomorrow to see why the resolution calling for JPAC has yet to be introduced.

It has been over a month since the rally at which he stated he was introducing the resolution.

More updates as we receive. We should have some additional details on manholes 3 and 4 tomorrow.

Put It Above Ground

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GO TO

http://www.firstgiving.com/putitabovground 

For the past five years we have been working diligently in our attempt to get things done correctly at Ground Zero.We have hit roadblocks at every step along the way.First it was the remains at Fresh Kills.Next it was the safety and security issues with the Memorial and other buildings at Ground Zero.

Then it was with the LMDC’s attempt to bury the names of our loved ones underground.

Now it is with the search for remains at the site.

To date we have only been successful with one of these items.

None the less we have always stayed true to our mission.

We have always been up front with our concerns.

Our statements were always public and posted on our site for all to see.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the other side.

Although they have claimed that every decision was made with the concerns of the families, that was almost never the case.

The events of the last few weeks just accentuate that things have not changed.

The lies continue to be spread about JPAC and their capabilities.

Promises made over a month ago about scheduling a meeting with the families about Fresh Kills and the current search have not been kept.

When we called we were told that the available personnel were involved with the shooting incident in Queens.

The icing on the cake came today.

There was a Port Authority meeting to discuss the new bus terminal at the WTC site.

This meeting was not posted on the Port Authority website.

When we called the Port Authority to inquire about the meeting we were told that there was no meeting scheduled.

So much for an open process.

All we ask is that the City the LMDC and the Port Authority play by the rules.

An even playing field where the rules don’t change when it suits.

Tomorrow is a full City Council meeting and we hope that Councilman Gerson introduces the resolution to bring in JPAC as was promised at our rally.

We have been notified that Councilman McMahon will be supporting it when it is introduced.

We hope that the mayor realizes that we agree that his personnel should be concentrating on the shooting in Queens.

More reason for JPAC to be brought in as it would act independently. Its staff would not be called away on other city business.

Finally the Port Authority needs to publicize all of its meetings and events.

There were only 2 members of family groups that were able to find today’s meeting.

There was I believe only one member of the press.

But they did have time to invite a PR firm to present their side of the depot issue.

They never seem to have a problem publicizing ground breakings or foundation pourings.

Once again we want an even playing field.

We will continue our efforts.

Everything on the table and above board.

We hope they will as well.

Put It Above Ground

I have been trying to get the Family Assistance office to respond to several questions and to respond to the attached nine points left with them on October 27. (see below) At that time, Sally Regenhard, Charles Wolf and I were told a response, in writing, would come within a few days. Since that time, we have had no response. We have been issued a letter ( Nov. 15) through Deputy Mayor Skyler’s office saying, among other things, that material from the new “search” for human remains will be taken to the Fresh Kills dump. I have called Mr. Brennan, the name indicated as our contact person, but have had no response from him.

Here is the point: I finally got through to Chris Coffey in the Mayor’s office yesterday afternoon. He said they are tied up in meetings, etc., because of the terrible tragedy involving the shooting in Queens a few days ago. This is, of course, where the City should be. This is the reason we have asked that JPAC come in to be the managerial and organizational entity in the recovery of human remains from September 11, 2001. The City has its own work to do. They are legitimately distracted by other events taking place within the City and must attend to City business. We have asked that the recovery of these remains be taken on by an entity that has ONLY that one mission to accomplish. The City, in asking for JPAC, would not be showing its weakness. Rather, it would be acknowledging that it must tend to City business as it occurs and cannot devote full time to this search and recovery.

I called again today and was told that Coffey, Skyler, Brennan and all other people who could answer my questions are in Queens again today. There was no one available to deal with my questions. So, once more, we have to stress that we need another entity to oversee the recovery of human remains and answer our questions.
Please notice on the attachment that #7 asks for a full meeting with any and all families about this issue. So far, the only response I have is a cursory comment from Mr. Coffey that they feel such a meeting would be “too contentious.” It is time for everyone to demand such a meeting. I will keep you posted on any new developments.

Diane Horning

City Hall Meeting on The Recovery of Human Remains:

October 27, 2006

1. The emphasis of the human remains recovery effort must shift from accidental search to a PROACTIVE, controlled survey approach. This survey must be led by JPAC, a scientific, specialized organization. JPAC will work in conjunction with the City, but this specialized team will lead the effort. We recognize that the City’s intentions have been good, but the City simply does not have the needed expertise and resources to conduct the proper procedure.

2. Based on the assessment by this specialized team, we anticipate a greatly expanded search area far beyond the areas being searched now.

3. We expect a timetable and budget to be set by this team. This timetable and budget should be independent of the construction timetable and budget. Both should be set at the advice of the specialized team and should be made available publicly as soon as they are set.

4. The work will then be mapped, directed and executed in tandem with the City, not instead of the City.

5. We recommend surveying the following areas led by the scientific team invited into the site.

a. The entire service road (also called the haul road) from Vesey Street to Liberty Street along West Street.

b. The “green grass” area by the 1 & 9 subway line.

c. Buildings to include but not limited to:
World Financial Center 1, 2 and 3
130 Cedar Street
Fiterman Hall
130 Liberty Street (the Deutsche Bank building)

6. The above areas (see #5) will be considered the initial phase, Phase I, of the project.
The City is aware that at least several hundred buildings most likely contain human remains and need to be examined. With the advice and expertise of JPAC, Phase II will be built on the exploration of additional sites.

7. The City must host a meeting in a large facility where any and all families can hear about the latest developments, ask questions and gather information. This meeting should be on the scale of family meetings held by the City of New York in 2001 and early 2002. We do not want today’s meeting represented as, “We have met with the families.” That is not sufficient. Keep in mind that only two family organizations are represented here today. We insist on the opportunity for all 9/11 family members to be fully informed regarding this human remains issue.

8. Phase III will address the continued unwillingness by the City to discuss the status of Fresh Kills. Discussions must begin involving families, their representatives and the City concerning the disposition of the human remains which are still in Fresh Kills on Staten Island.

9. Future discussions and decisions about the issue of the retrieval of human remains of the victims of the 9/11 attacks must include input from the families of the victims. Those discussions and decisions must be open and transparent.

Diane Horning, WTC Families for Proper Burial, Inc.
Sally Regenhard, Skyscraper Safety Campaign
Charles Wolf, 9/11 Family Member
Glenn Corbett, Technical Advisor

At a recent City Council meeting a statement was made that bringing in JPAC during wartime would be selfish.

There is no truth to this statement at all and the City knows it.

JPAC is a rotating duty. Most mortuary affairs personnel spend six months at Ft. Lee, VA (which is essentially HQ, six months at Dover (a coveted assignment), a year at JPAC, six months at the personal effects depot in Aberdeen Maryland (where they mail GI’s property to the families).

They consistently rotate again and again; most of them want to get away from HQ ie Ft Lee and into the real deal.

JPAC as a unit has NEVER been in Iraq or Afghanistan because there they bring our boys home and there is no need for the unit. As such it does not take away from their capabilities.

Mortuary Affairs personnel want any mission because for lack of a better term, they are always looking for work.

Bloomberg: No Medal For Retired 9/11 Firefighters

WCBS-TV New York - NY,USA
The three firefighters were safety officers at the World Trade Center. Their families have campaigned for them to be recognized

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_330175746.html

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