Put It Above Ground

Ten years ago many promises were made.

“We will never forget the victims of this tragic day” seemed to be on the lips of every elected official.

Shortly after these same elected officials took every opportunity to praise the brave first responders who worked tirelessly to find survivors before they took on the task of finding remains of those lost in the rubble.

But that was ten years ago and many of those promises have been forgotten.

There is already talk about not reading the names at the 9/11 ceremony after this year.

We are also all aware that the first responders are not even invited to this year’s ceremony.

So much for not forgetting.

Prominent elected officials are falling over themselves to be in attendance this year.

Many of these have never been there before or only showed up on the 5th anniversary as if the other years did not matter.

Many of these will be to too busy running for office to attend next year unless they are behind in the polls in New York.

This is the type of hypocritical behavior has been prevalent over the last 10 years.

Many have made and continue to make millions or have built their political careers off this tragedy.

And these same people have forgotten or only remember when it serves their agenda.

Mr. Mayor why don’t you ask some of the survivors who made it out because of the brave first responders if they think these heroes should be able to attend.

Or ask a family who were able to respectfully bury their loved one because of the efforts of these same people you look to exclude from this year’s ceremony.

As for the reading of the names going forward I ask that you ask all of the 9/11 families not just the select group that you always refer to that have rubber stamped any decision you wanted to make regarding Ground Zero.

It has never been a problem reaching out to all of the families when it comes to asking for donations for the memorial so it should not be a problem reaching out to all of them for their opinion on this.

While we are speaking about the memorial has anyone even considered how you are going to deal with the tens of thousands (mostly tourists) who are going to want to visit every day if you cannot even handle inviting the first responders for one day.

We hope that those in power will take these things into consideration when decisions are being made.

Unfortunately when it comes to 9/11 politics and money have always come before commitment.

On Behalf of a Grateful Nation

Aug 1, 2011

BY BOBBY HALTON

How we treat one another in life is critical for developing good relationships. If you have respect for others, it shows in how you manage yourself and how you conduct your business both personally and professionally. How society treats someone’s memory when he passes is a testament to that person’s significance to society while he was alive. How society treats someone’s remains is also critically important to that person’s legacy and future significance to the society. That does not mean that occasionally someone who made tremendous contributions to society does not get treated inappropriately—quite the contrary, it happens more often than one would suspect. It is largely because of the social climate of the day. It is said that he who wins the war writes the history. A great example is Shakespeare’s portrayal of King Richard as a deformed hunchback with horrible character and ill intent. History tells us regarding Richard that nothing could be further from the truth.
In our own history, we have the example of our “missing founding father,” one of the most significant voices of the day during the American Revolution, the first man to use the word “independence” in his writing in reaction to the conflict on April 19, 1775, at Lexington and Concord. He wrote a pamphlet in 1776 called “Common Sense”; he was responsible for saving the revolution when Washington’s army was falling apart at Valley Forge; it was his “The Crisis” that inspired the army and saved the revolution.
When he died in 1809, he was refused burial in the local Quaker cemetery because of his beliefs and the fact that he was strongly disliked by most of his contemporary founding fathers, so he was buried on his farm. Thomas Paine incited the discussions on freedom and liberty that motivated our ancestors to break away from England; he inspired the British Reform Act and helped bring liberty to France. So why isn’t his gravesite a national monument?
Tragically, William Cobbett, a Paine fan, believed that America had disrespected Paine’s memory, so he dug up Paine’s body and returned it to England, where he planned to build a monument. But Cobbett had no success raising money for the monument, and so Paine’s body was put under Cobbett’s bed until Cobbett died in 1835. Then Cobbett’s son inherited the body, but eventually he lost the body. This is why today there is no gravesite monument for Thomas Paine, one of the most significant of our founding fathers.
Mark Twain is credited with saying, “History may not repeat itself, but it certainly rhymes,” which brings us to today’s dilemma. In the brilliant article “The Disappeared” (Anthropology Today, June 2011), Chip Colwell-Chanthaphoh and Alice M. Greenwald draw a chilling analogy between Achilles’ disrespect of Hector’s body in the Iliad and the treatment by the folks running the 9/11 museum and memorial of the human remains of the 9/11 victims murdered at the WTC. Achilles angrily dragged Hector’s body in front of his grieving family for nine days, denying them the opportunity to properly bury and respect his memory. To many of the 9/11 families, New York City and the 9/11 memorial and museum folks, albeit possibly with the best of intentions, are doing the same thing.
When the original plans for the WTC site were explained in 2003, the museum and the memorial were to be separate and distinct. Everyone assumed the memorial, including the human remains repository, would be open and free to the public, a fitting and dignified open-air setting similar to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. But in 2006, somehow the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) and the 9/11 museum changed the plan and incorporated the two elements. They also somehow managed to arrange with the city that the 9,041 parts of unidentified remains of 2,749 victims killed on 9/11 would be interred within the museum. They plan to entomb them seven stories belowground, devastating family members, whose final memory is one of their beloved being buried alive in the rubble of “the pit.” It is horrifying to them that now their loved ones will be encased behind a wall with an epitaph chosen by the museum, a museum where visitors will have to buy tickets, paying to grieve. There, they will provide a “teaching lesson” for paying customers of the museum. To many families, Achilles’ behavior appears less egregious.
We also know with certainty that parts of bodies of the fallen are also scattered about the Fresh Kills landfill site, where WTC debris was hauled for disposal. To compound the families’ pain, lawyers, in a lawsuit, called the remains of their loved ones “dirt,” and they argued that because so many bodies were mixed together, no one could claim ownership. In that lawsuit, the families lost their right to bury their dead. God willing, another group representing 9/11 families can unite and claim ownership and keep the more than 9,000 unidentified human remains, now housed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, out of the museum. Denying these families the opportunity to lay to rest their loved ones in a proper and dignified way is the height of bureaucratic arrogance. Here we have an opportunity as a nation to do what is morally required of us.
We must unite and stop the LMDC and the private 9/11 museum from profiting from the murders of our citizens, brethren, and guests. We must also demand that Fresh Kills become a National Monument and that a final resting place for the unidentified remains be erected where we all can go free of charge to pay our respects and pray for our fallen friends and family. Homer wrote the Iliad and Odyssey to teach. Paine wrote to inspire. We should honor them both with impassioned action. We must stop this commercial entombment of our fallen and allow the families to properly and honorably bury their lost loved ones.

Please Watch: 9/11 Families Participate in New Public Service Advertising Launch to Support the September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance

Friends,

We are pleased to provide you with important, new information on the upcoming September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance observance. Today, we are launching a $15 million national public service awareness campaign, funded entirely through private donations and donated media space. The campaign is designed to inspire Americans everywhere and others throughout the world to voluntarily observe the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, and every 9/11 thereafter, by performing good deeds, supporting charitable causes, volunteering and engaging in other forms of service, prayer and reflection in tribute to the 9/11 victims, survivors and those who rose in service in response to the attacks. It is a beautiful, uplifting and positive campaign, and we invite you to be among the first to see the new television spots that will begin appearing nationwide in greater frequency over the next few weeks.

Please view our public service announcements at our Facebook page, (http://facebook.com/911day), or by visiting our website at http://911day.org. You can also post your own special message in tribute to a lost loved one, friend or colleague.

We express our sincere gratitude to the many members of the 9/11 community that participated in this heartfelt and powerful campaign, including Mary Fetchet, Cindy McGinty, Dennis McKeon, Gary Bogacz and others – several of which appear in the national ads. You can read our full press release posted today at: http://tinyurl.com/911DayNews.

Feel free to contact us at the email addresses below if you have additional questions.

Best wishes,

David Paine and Jay Winuk

Co-Founders, 9/11 Day Observance

David.Paine@911day.org

Jay.Winuk@911day.org

WHERE TO TURN

INVITES YOU

TO A SPECIAL VIEWING

OF THE

UNITED IN MEMORY

9/11 VICTIMS MEMORIAL QUILT

AND THE

STATEN ISLAND TOWERS OF LIGHT

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

OFFICIAL PROGRAM BEGINS AT 7:00 PM

HOSTED BY

ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

THE STUDENT CENTER CAFETERIA

300 HOWARD AVE

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.

Please R.S.V.P. by August 19

at

info@where-to-turn.org or 718-966-6531

To All 9/11 Family Groups,

With the 10th Anniversary fast approaching I know that many of you are planning special events to honor those lost on 9/11.

We think that the best way to remember those lost is to keep doing good in their memory.

With that in mind we have a special request.

If you are planning an event we ask that you ask each of the invitees to donate a new unwrapped toy.

After your event Where to Turn will arrange pick up and these toys will be sorted and distributed to children impacted by the recent tornadoes.

While we are also coordinating efforts to address immediate needs (see below) we realize that many of these families will be in no condition to celebrate the holidays this year and we would like to help even in a small way.

If your organization would like to participate please give us a call.

Even if you are not running an event please share this with your distributions as some of your members may want to conduct individual drives.

We will be reaching out to non 9/11 groups as well but we wanted to reach out to you first.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Dennis

——————————————————————————–

From: Dennis McKeon
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 4:54 PM
Subject: HOW YOU CAN HELP OUT THE HEARTLAND…WHERE TO TURN TORNADO RELIEF

To All,

Until we can get our adopt a school program off the ground we will be reaching out and making contact with schools and local officials in areas impacted by tornadoes.

As we did after Katrina and last year with Haiti we are coordinating a local effort to help these people in need.

We will be collecting school supplies and other items and will arrange to ship them directly to those in need. (more details to follow)

We realize that it will take some time for these people to get back on their feet so we will also be running a Christmas/ Hanukah in the Summer Toy Drive.

We will arrange to have all the toys collected shipped directly to impacted areas over the Holidays.

After Katrina we filled an 18 Wheeler and we hope to do the same here. We may even drive out ourselves

How Can You Help.

Run a collection drive through your business, school or organization.

Act as a drop off point for donations.

Assist in pick up of collected items.

Make a donation to Where to Turn to assist with shipping costs.

If you would like to join us in this effort please let us know.

Contact us at dennis.mckeon@where-to-turn.org

Thanks again for your continued support.

Dennis

——————————————————————————–

From: Dennis McKeon
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 11:26 PM
Subject: HEARTBREAK IN JOPLIN…WHY ISN’T ANYONE LISTENING? ADOPT A SCHOOL DISASTER RELIEF

During the Katrina Disaster we began a temporary program through which we were able to collect school supplies from local Staten Island Schools and Businesses and ship them down to schools in areas impacted by the hurricanes.

In all we adopted over 25 schools in Mississippi and Louisiana and shipped goods as needed.

Since that time we have been attempting to take a more proactive permanent approach by partnering with schools in advance.

We want to set up direct communication between schools in and outside disaster areas.

If a disaster does hit an administrator at the impacted school will only need to call their sponsoring school.

The sponsoring school will do its best to collect what is needed and Where to Turn will coordinate the shipping.

We have sent our proposal to the US Department of Education and our local elected officials as we would like to see this become a national program but we have not heard anything back so it appears once again we are on our own.

Had we had this in place we would be in a position to help out the victims of the recent tornadoes in the midwest.

In the meantime we will begin a pilot program with Staten Island Schools.

Any Staten Island school interested in participating in this program can call us at 718-966-6531.

Civic and community groups as well as businesses are also welcome to join.
Once we set up the network we will be reaching out for corporate sponsorships to help cover the shipping costs.

If you have contacts at schools in disaster areas have them give us a call

The bottom line is if we are to continue this program we must rely on the generosity of the general public.

If you would like to be a part of this project you can send your tax deductible contribution to

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

Or you can donate by credit card by going to Facebook at

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/invite_pledges/16561519

Personal contributions can be made at any level. All donations are tax deductible.

http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=20-0404386

Please indicate that the contribution is for Disaster Relief.

100% of all contributions will go towards shipping and handling of relief supplies.

Thanks again for all of your support.

How would you like to have a memorial where you could;

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/

Swiss, Italian and AP 9/11 Media Requests 8/3

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54879

USS Intrepid invite September 8

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=55078

9/11 Volunteer Reunion and Dedication: Sept 6th 7pm

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54880

There Are Twice as Many Slot Machines in the US as ATM’s

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=55057

9/11 Media Request 7/28

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54825

WTC Health Registry Third Survey

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54822

LOOK’S LIKE OUR PRESSURE PAID OFF.USS NEW YORK WILL BE HERE

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54808

Where to Turn 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive September 10th

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54718

WHERE TO TURN PRESENTS 9/11 YESTERDAY TODAY AND TOMORROW

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=54730

10th Anniversary 9/11 Events

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=91

Important Update from 9-11 Healing and Remembrance Program

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54681

9/11 Family Member Visitor Passes

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=54863

WHERE TO TURN TOY DRIVE FOR TORNADO VICTIMS PRESS RELEASE

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54437

SPECIAL REQUEST TO 9/11 FAMILY GROUPS FOR TORNADO ASSISTANCE

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54311

HELPING OUT THE HEARTLAND…WHERE TO TURN TORNADO RELIEF

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54288

Press Releases

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=24

9/11 Memorial News

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=54401

News from 9-11 Healing and Remembrance

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54162

ORGANIZE A BLOOD DRIVE AND EARN SCHOLARSHIP MONEY

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54138

SUPPORT THE FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA TOUR THROUGH WHERE TO TURN

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=53630

Letters to Our Loved Ones…..9/11 10 Years Past

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=95

BECOME PART OF HISTORY…THE HEARTS AND HANDS 9/11 MEMORIAL

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=50239

WHERE TO TURN FUNDRAISING POSTER

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=53325

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=53506

Staten Island Project Homefront Needs Your Help

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=53248

10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 PLANS FOR LARGEST DAY OF CHARITY

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54714

S.I. 9/11 Victims’ Group Provides Local, Global Relief

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=54538

Updated Plans for Hearts and Hands Memorial

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=53099

PURCHASE DISCOUNT TICKETS TO SHOWS AND SUPPORT WHERE TO TURN

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=53095

UIM 9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt Hearts & Hands 2011

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=52326

9/11 List Serve (9/11 Articles)

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=50028

What They Are Not Helping Us Build for the 9/11 Families

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51346

Tomorrow’s Announcements and Events

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/calendar_scheduler.php?d=1312430400

The United States Department of Health & Human Services announced today that there is insufficient medical evidence to support a link between the exposure to Ground Zero toxins and various forms of cancer at this time.

The government strikes again.

It was nearly 10 years ago when former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman knowingly released falsely reassuring and misleading statements of safety after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Even though the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found that her statements were “without question conscience-shocking.”

Even though The court also found the facts “support an allegation of a violation of the substantive due process right to be free from official government

policies that increase the risk of bodily harm” by Whitman’s misstatements regarding the air quality of the affected area.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated that she could not be held liable for her actions.

Now 10 years later people who worked at Ground Zero and believed Christie Todd Whitman because she represented the government continue to get sick.

And what does the government do?

It takes cancer, the disease that represents the largest number of claims in the Zadroga Bill, and makes anyone who contracted cancer as a result f their work at Ground Zero or Fresh Kills ineligible for aid.

So our government which is about to raise the debt ceiling once again because they just cant control their spending on anything else decides to save a few bucks here at the expense of 9/11 victims.

If we try to fight them on this they will probably use the same excuse they did back then when the Appeals Court stated that legal remedies are not always available for every instance of arguably deficient governmental performance.

But we must fight them just as we fought them to get the Zadroga Bill passed.

We owe it to those who helped and are now sick.

We owe to all of those who have died of cancer after working at the site or at Fresh Kills.

It is our responsibility to make sure our government holds to its commitments to the victims of 9/11.

This September is the 10th Anniversary of the attacks and this is no way to honor the memory of those who died that day.

Teddy Roosevelt once said “Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever

found, against the wrong”.

That is what we need to do today.

Let your voices be heard.

Lest We Forget

Dennis

WTC warship gets invite to 9/11 gala

The warship USS New York — built with 7½ tons of steel from the World Trade Center — will be part of the 10th-anniversary 9/11 celebration, after an initial snub.

“I’m tickled pink,” said Command Master Chief Ralph Perez, the ship’s highest-ranking enlisted man.

“We belong there. Our connection to the city is very, very deep. The crew takes the responsibility of representing the city very seriously.”

Just last week, elected leaders were scrambling to correct the oversight after officials failed to extend an invitation to Navy commanders.

Subject: Message from Special Master Sheila L. Birnbaum

Dear Friend,

As I stated when I was first appointed by the Attorney General, my goal is for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund to be fair, transparent, and easy to navigate. With that goal in mind, I will be holding a series of town hall forums over the next few weeks in order to speak with potential applicants to the Victim Compensation Fund. At these town halls, I hope to talk with you about the Fund and the proposed rules as well as answer any questions you may have.

In addition, we have added a Frequently Asked Questions section to our website, www.justice.gov/vcf. I have received invaluable input from the many individuals I have met with over the past two months and hope that these FAQs answer many of your questions.

Here is the schedule for the upcoming town halls:

Wednesday, July 27th 6:00-7:30pm: Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd, New York, NY
Thursday, July 28th 6:00-7:30pm: Jersey City City Hall - Council Chambers, 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ
Tuesday, August 2nd 6:00-7:30pm: Melville Marriott, 1350 Old Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY
I look forward to speaking with you at these events, so that I can hear your thoughts, answer as many questions as I can, and make the best decisions possible to refine the regulations and administer the program.

Yours,

Sheila