Put It Above Ground

ANGELS’ CIRCLE 9/11 CEREMONY

SEPTEMBER 11TH

8:30 PM

PLEASE BRING A CANDLE IN A CUP TO LIGHT WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE’S NAME IS CALLED.

A special message for all 9/11 Family members - from fellow 9/11 Families -

regarding the September 11 Rally against the Ground Zero mosque

The Rally is not the problem, the mosque is…..

“9/11 Parents & Families of Firefighters and WTC Victims”

Recently a 9/11 family group called for suppression of the September 11th rally near Ground Zero which opposes the construction of a mosque and cultural center near the sacred ground. Many 9/11 families do not agree with attempting to stop this demonstration - and the majority of our group supports the purpose and principles of this rally.

We have been informed that this demonstration will in no way interfere with the Anniversary Commemoration - instead it will be held at the site of the proposed mosque building at Park Place - after the conclusion of the 9/11 ceremony. Numerous family members, including many from out of state, have made arrangements to attend this important gathering.

While we respect the rights and opinions of others, we feel that no one should attempt to inhibit the expression of free speech for the large number of 9/11 family members who wish to participate in opposing the construction of this mosque and cultural center. This project represents a gross lack of sensitivity to the 9/11 families and disrespects the memory of all those who were murdered at the WTC both in 1993 and 2001.

We affirm that the 9/11 Anniversary is a very special and precious commemoration for all of us. However, we feel that by attending and participating in this rally, families can endeavor to ensure that the sacred ground will continue to be respected for posterity.

Many of our family members feel that they have a moral obligation to their loved ones to raise their voices as the world looks upon us and sees our plight.

For many family members, the looming, unresolved mosque controversy has made the upcoming September 11th Anniversary even more upsetting and troubling. There can be no peace and reflection for the 9/11 families who strongly feel that this proposed mosque is disrespectful and insensitive. On 9/11, as the world is focusing on Ground Zero, families want to be able to raise their voices and say to the world that this is wrong.

While it is possible for some to seek peace and reflection on 9/11 - for others it is better to actively seek justice and honor the legacy of their loved ones by publicly challenging this building whose location so affronts the sensitivity of large numbers of victims’ families. While we may all wish for peace and tranquility - if there is no justice for the victims and their families- there will be no peace for any of us.

No one is being forced to attend this rally, but all family members should have the right to choose whatever they wish to do. On this most poignant day, relatives and friends of the victims have the right to join together with other 9/11 family members who want their voices to be heard in honor of their lost loved ones.

Chief Jim Riches,Chairperson

9/11 Parents & Families of Firefighters & WTC Victims

Sally Regenhard, Vice Chair

Supporters:

Jim McCaffrey

Chief Al Santora

Maureen Santora

Rosemary Cain

Rosaleen Tallon

Eileen Tallon

Albert Regenhard

Nelly Braginsky

Robert Da Ros

Timothy Dennehy

Joan O’Callaghan

Marcia Morris

Noreen O’Riordan

Margaret Wade

Dave Wade

Kathleen Bergin

Donal Flynn

Emma DiPierro

Rosa P. Leonetti

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE 9/11 COMMUNITY:
COALITION OF 9/11 LEADERS AND OTHERS OPPOSE THE HOLDING OF PROTEST RALLIES ON 9/11

On behalf of a coalition of 9/11 leaders and others, and in recognition of the longstanding sanctity of September 11 as a day of private and peaceful reflection, prayer and remembrance, we, along with others in the 9/11 community have asked opponents and proponents of the Ground Zero mosque not to stage any street protests or rallies on the September 11 anniversary, but rather to reschedule these events to a more suitable day.
We wish to emphasize that our concerns about the timing of the protest rallies should not be misconstrued as an indication of support for the mosque. The proposed mosque has caused tremendous pain and great concern to many within the 9/11 community. Our desire, which we hope the 9/11 community shares, , is simply to preserve 9/11 for appropriate remembrance and reflection – we do not believe that protest rallies of this nature should take place on such a sacred day and in such close proximity to Ground Zero. For those you receive this message, we hope that you will consider adding your name to our letter below urging both entities to engage in restraint this 9/11. Just email us at info@mygooddeed.org and tell us how you wish to be listed.
Copies of our two letters requesting postponement of such events sent this week to the organizers of rallies on 9/11 are available for your review below. We did hear back from Pamela Geller, who is organizing the street rally in opposition to the mosque. Unfortunately she has rejected our call to reschedule it. But we’ll keep trying. We have not heard of any definitive plans to stage a pro-mosque rally on 9/11 at this point, but that could quickly change, and as such we have sent letters to the developers and supporters of the mosque urging that such events do not take place.
If the rallies do take place, with both groups staging public events near Ground Zero on 9/11 – crowds are impossible to predict. It would be unfortunate on this day to face this type of potential conflict in such a sacred neighborhood, when our nation and the 9/11 community should be able to honor those lost in a peaceful setting.
In our letters, we say:
“This request should not be construed as an indication of our support for the proposed location of the mosque, which has caused pain and great concern among many 9/11 families. However we stand together in expressing our opposition to staging a high profile, public protest rally specifically on September 11th, when so many families’ and others’ priorities will properly be focused on prayer, remembrance, and private reflection throughout the day and evening. To hold a rally on September 11 would be inappropriate and disrespectful to all of us who see 9/11 as a day outside of politics, when we all remain united in honoring the lives and the courage of our many friends and loved ones.
The anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is always very difficult for many within and outside the 9/11 community. Besides the tragic loss of loved ones, families and others are dealing with a multitude of very sensitive and emotional issues, including the proper burial of remains, the health of rescue and recovery workers, and numerous other pressing concerns. To divert this focus nine years later into a day of street protest and heated political debate is simply wrong. In the words of one 9/11 widow: “We all suffered in the most public way on that tragic day. Many families have worked so hard to come so far. Calling forth the heroism, acts of kindness, and patriotism that occurred on, and because of, that day makes us better than the horrible people who took away my loving husband and everyone else who died that day. I want to keep it that way for the future and for my children.”
We want to let you know that after our concerns about Ms. Geller’s rally surfaced, the organizers of that event pledged to tone it down. They modified their website and said that: “September 11 is a solemn day, and rally will be as solemn as the occasion warrants.” They indicated they plan to begin the event with a memorial service, and also posted new messages asking the crowd to replace signs with flags, saying that, “Remember why we are there: to stand for those who fell on that terrible day, and to declare that no victory mosque will deface the site where they fell. Your signs, if you choose to bring any at all, should be positive affirmations of American values, free of obscenities, epithets, gratuitous insults, racial references, and the like.”
But despite these assurances, we remain concerned that the event itself is still largely the same – it will be a large street protest outside the planned location of the mosque. They have invited as speakers Dutch Party of Freedom leader Geert Wilders; former U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton (via video screen); journalist Andrew Breitbart; New York Senate candidate Gary Berntsen; North Carolina Congressional candidate Ilario Pantano; nationally syndicated conservative talk show host Mike Gallagher; New York Congressional candidate and 9/11 first responder Michael Grimm; Muslim Iranian activist Ray Kafi; Jordan Sekulow at the American Center for Law and Justice, and Coptic Christian activist Joseph Nassralla. Some 9/11 family members may speak as well.
Again, this is not about supporting or opposing the mosque. Those of us who submitted these requests fully back the rights of everyone to speak freely and to express their views on this very serious and important topic – and certainly the proposed location of the mosque has caused tremendous concern within the 9/11 community. However, events of this type should absolutely be on another day – it is inappropriate for 9/11, when so many 9/11 families are again coping with the anniversary of the loss of loved ones. There are other days for such rallies. That’s our simple message.
To all our friends in the 9/11 community – many of whom we worked with for years — we want you to know that we fully and completely support whatever position or decisions you make individually, including if your decision is to participate in these rallies, pro or con, if they happen.
This issue is incredibly difficult, polarizing and very emotional, and while we hope that you’ll understand and support our desire to preserve the sanctity of 9/11 — after all, protests like this can always be on another day — we respect your position. We only hope that moving forward, we can all work more closely together to protect the sanctity and sacredness of 9/11 and Ground Zero, and encourage everyone in the future to put aside their differences on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks each year in tribute to those lost and injured, and in honor of the many who have risen in service in response to attacks.
We wish you peace on 9/11, a National Day of Service and Remembrance, and we once again express our remorse for the losses you may have suffered on 9/11 and in the years since.
Your Friends,

David Paine Jay Winuk
President, MyGoodDeed Vice President, MyGoodDeed
Brother of Glenn Winuk, 9/11 rescuer

ATTACHED LETTERS:

September 2, 2010

TO: Ms. Daisy Khan
Mr. Sharif El-Gamal
Iman Feisal Abdul Rauf

We represent several influential 9/11 support organizations, and we are writing on behalf of many in the 9/11 community throughout the nation to ask that you take a leadership role in asking that those who may support your planned project and others not engage in public protests or rallies on September 11 of this year, and that you do not participate yourselves in such events. This request should not be construed as an indication of our support for the proposed location of the mosque, which has caused pain and great concern among many 9/11 families. However we stand together as a broad coalition in expressing our opposition to staging any high profile, public protests, for as well as against, the project specifically on September 11th, when so many families’ and others’ priorities will properly be focused on prayer, remembrance, and private reflection throughout the day and evening.

We have sent a similar request to organizers of a planned 9/11 protest rally against the mosque project.

To hold rallies of any nature on September 11 would be inappropriate and disrespectful to all of us who see 9/11 as a day outside of politics, when we desire to remain united in honoring the lives and the courage of our many friends and loved ones. The anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is always very difficult for many within and outside the 9/11 community. Besides the tragic loss of loved ones, families and others are dealing with a multitude of very sensitive and emotional issues, including the proper burial of remains, the health of rescue and recovery workers, and numerous other pressing concerns. To divert this focus nine years later into a day of street protest and heated political debate is simply wrong.

In that spirit, the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance was established, when thousands of faith-based groups, schools, employers and individuals, will be taking time to assist wounded warriors and assemble care packages, donate to charities, organize walks, work in soup kitchens and even help train seeing eye dogs. In lower Manhattan — very close to your planned rally — families with children, teachers and volunteers plan to spend time restoring a school playground.

We hope you can appreciate why any protest rallies or counter rallies are not appropriate for September 11. We ask instead that you join us in observing 9/11 as a sacred and peaceful day when everyone’s focus can rightly be on honoring the lives of those who were killed, paying tribute to the many heroes and honoring the wave of spontaneous volunteerism that swept the entire nation in response to the attacks.

We would appreciate your direct intervention in discouraging and working to reschedule any protest rallies or events on 9/11. Please advise us accordingly. In the meantime should you wish to contact us regarding this matter, feel free to contact either Jay Winuk or David Paine at the email addresses provided below.
 
Sincerely,

David Paine, Co-founder, President, MyGoodDeed, david.paine@MyGoodDeed.org
Jay S. Winuk, Co-founder, VP, MyGoodDeed, jay.winuk@MyGoodDeed.org, brother of Glenn Winuk
Lee Ielpi, September 11th Families Association, father of Jonathan
Alice Hoagland, mother of Flight 93 hero Mark Bingham
Jennifer Adams, Co-Founder, Tribute WTC Visitor Center
Nancy Aronson, Board Member, Families of September 11, sister-in-law of Myra
Mary and Frank Fetchet, Co-founders, Voices of September 11
David Weild, Board Chair, Tuesday’s Children
Terry Grace Sears, Executive Director, Tuesday’s Children
Elizabeth Alderman, Co-Founder, Peter C. Alderman Foundation
MaryEllen Salamone, wife of John Salamone
Edith Lutnick, Executive Director, The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund
Cynthia McGinty, Board Member, MyGoodDeed, wife of Michael McGinty
Dennis McKeon, Executive Director, Where To Turn
Kurt and Diane Horning, parents of 26-year-old Matthew D. Horning, WTC Tower I
Jeff Parness, Founder & Chairman, New York Says Thank You Foundation
Sol Moglen, Founder, Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance
Arnold Korotkin, cybrarian, 9/11 List-serv

*Partial list of signers.

LETTER #2

September 2, 2010

TO: Ms. Pamela Geller
Mr. Robert Spencer

We are leaders of several influential 9/11 support organizations, and we are writing to ask that you reconsider rescheduling the date of your planned rally protesting the Cordoba House mosque, so that it does not occur on the sacred anniversary of 9/11. This request should not be construed as an indication of our support for the proposed location of the mosque, which has caused pain and great concern among many 9/11 families. However, we stand together as a broad coalition in expressing our opposition to staging a high profile, public protest rally specifically on September 11th, when so many families’ and others’ priorities will properly be focused on prayer, remembrance, and private reflection throughout the day and evening.

To hold any type of protest rally on September 11 would be inappropriate and disrespectful to all who see 9/11 as a day outside of politics, when we desire to remain united in honoring the lives and the courage of our many friends and loved ones. We have issued a similar request to Mr. Sharif El-Gamal, Ms. Daisy Khan, and Iman Feisal Abdul Rauf, asking specifically that they work to prevent, discourage, and not participate in any such counter rallies or events on that day as well.

The anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is always very difficult for many within and outside the 9/11 community. Besides the tragic loss of loved ones, families and others are dealing with a multitude of very sensitive and emotional issues, including the proper burial of remains, the health of rescue and recovery workers, and numerous other pressing concerns. To divert this focus nine years later into a day of street protest and heated political debate is simply wrong. In the words of one 9/11 widow, “We all suffered in the most public way on that tragic day. Many families have worked so hard to come so far. Calling forth the heroism, acts of kindness, and patriotism that occurred on, and because of, that day makes us better than the horrible people who took away my loving husband and everyone else who died that day. I want to keep it that way for the future and for my children.”

In that spirit, the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance was established, when thousands of faith-based groups, schools, employers and individuals, will be taking time to assist wounded warriors and assemble care packages, donate to charities, organize walks, work in soup kitchens and even help train seeing eye dogs. In lower Manhattan — very close to your planned rally — families with children, teachers and volunteers plan to spend time restoring a school playground.

We hope you can appreciate why a rally of this nature is not appropriate for September 11, and why we and others will therefore not support it on this day. We ask instead that you join us in observing 9/11 as a sacred and peaceful day when everyone’s focus can rightly be on honoring the lives of those who were killed, paying tribute to the many heroes and honoring the wave of spontaneous volunteerism that swept the entire nation in response to the attacks.

Please let us know immediately whether you will reconsider your rejection of our initial request. Should you wish to contact us regarding this matter, feel free to contact either Jay Winuk or David Paine at the email addresses provided below.
 
Sincerely,

David Paine, Co-founder, President, MyGoodDeed, david.paine@MyGoodDeed.org
Jay S. Winuk, Co-founder, VP, MyGoodDeed, jay.winuk@MyGoodDeed.org, brother of Glenn Winuk
Lee Ielpi, September 11th Families Association, father of Jonathan
Alice Hoagland, mother of Flight 93 hero Mark Bingham
Jennifer Adams, Co-Founder, Tribute WTC Visitor Center
Nancy Aronson, Board Member, Families of September 11, sister-in-law of Myra
Mary and Frank Fetchet, Co-founders, Voices of September 11
David Weild, Board Chair, Tuesday’s Children
Terry Grace Sears, Executive Director, Tuesday’s Children
Elizabeth Alderman, Co-Founder, Peter C. Alderman Foundation
MaryEllen Salamone, wife of John Salamone
Edith Lutnick, Executive Director, The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund
Cynthia McGinty, Board Member, MyGoodDeed, wife of Michael McGinty
Dennis McKeon, Executive Director, Where To Turn
Kurt and Diane Horning, parents of 26-year-old Matthew D. Horning, WTC Tower I
Jeff Parness, Founder & Chairman, New York Says Thank You Foundation
Sol Moglen, Founder, Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance
Arnold Korotkin, cybrarian, 9/11 List-serv

*Partial list of signers.

To All, 

As most of you probably know there is a proposed protest rally against the mosque being planned for 9/11. There are also reports that there is a pro mosque rally in the works for 9/11 as well. Over the past 9 years we have had many issues with the way the site as well as the victim’s families have been treated. Through it all we have always maintained the position that 9/11 was a day to respectfully remember and honor those who died. We have always stood against any rallies scheduled for September 11^th and we will do so again with these events. We will be joining other 9/11 organizations in asking that the organizers change the date for these events. If they refuse to change the date we will also ask those scheduled to appear to withdraw from the events. Over the past 9 years more and more of what’s been going on at Ground Zero has excluded the families. Just two years ago we had to threaten to hold our old ceremony to gain access to the pit. This year we have been informed that 9/11 family members are being denied the right to read their loved ones names as the slots have been made available to people who have worked on the renovation of the site. While it is appropriate to get others involved 9/11 families should never be denied this right. All of these issues have and hopefully will be addressed going forward but we would never suggest that a rally be held to voice these concerns on 9/11. Hopefully the organizers will reconsider and participants will back out if they don’t. We will never support such activities that disrespect the memories of our loved ones on this sacred day at this sacred site. We hope you will support our position. 

Dennis  

9/11 Events

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=6

Canadian Muslim alleges imam made threatening call

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=52126

Friend from Middle East comments on Cordoba Mosque

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=52127

9/11 Media Requests

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=28

Pass 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Rally - 8/25/10

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=52122

WTC MOSQUE ARTICLES

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=52114

OF MEMORIALS AND MOSQUES

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=52054

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

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

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

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51433

9/11 List Serve

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

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

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

Tomorrow’s Announcements and Events

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/calendar_scheduler.php?d=1282719600

As the controversy around the mosque near Ground Zero grows Postcards the 9/11 Memorial on Staten Island was vandalized with five 9/11 victims’ profiles being smashed. Now one thing may have nothing to do with the other but the possibility always exists. Don’t all involved see the potential danger of the Mosque being built just a few feet away from Ground Zero? Say during the construction or after it is built some fanatic attempts to bomb the mosque. Now this could happen. It could be an Islamic extremist or a crazed American. Either way people will die and the rift between all involved will be widened with each blaming the other. Why would we want to create such a no win situation? Now all of this should have been taken into consideration early on. But now it has, as with all things related to 9/11, become a political hot item. And all the same politicians who did not give a second thought about defeating the 9/11 Health Care bill just a few weeks ago are on their soap boxes attempting to gain a political advantage in the upcoming elections. The same politicians that have allowed the 9/11 memorial/museum to be buried underground will use this for their political gain. And mayor Bloomberg who continues to allow the WTC Captive Insurance Corp to pay lawyers millions to deny health claims to 9/11 victims is appalled that New Yorkers might actually have thoughts of their own about a mosque a few blocks from Ground Zero. So unfortunately the sad saga of Ground Zero drags on into its 9^th year. Ex politicians who have made billions off the tragedy join with those still in office for photo ops on the 11^th day of September each year and could care less about 9/11 or its victims for the other 364 days. And the atmosphere of hate increases. Nobody can convince me that a mosque a few blocks from Ground Zero is going to make things any better.   

Dear 9/11 Families:

Darlow Smithson, one of the world’s leading production companies (www.darlowsmithson.com), was commissioned by TLC in the US and Channel 4 in the UK to produce a 90- minute documentary film for the ten-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, looking at the children and young-adults of 9/11 and the stories they have to tell about growing up: their personal memories and experiences of this very public event and how it affected their lives.

We would be very interested in speaking with family members who may have an interest or would consider taking part in this project (with no commitment from your end). This is a documentary and so the style of the film and the way we operate is very different from news- feature operation, which some of you may have encountered before. We work in a one-two people teams with small cameras, with the aim of being as least intrusive as possible and take the time to develop relationships with the people featured in the program.

If you’d like to hear more or would like to tell your story, please contact me.

Talya Tibbon, Producer. DarlowSmithson Productions.

Email: talyati@gmail.com or phone: 917 721 5280

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Best Regards,

Talya Tibbon

Producer
DarlowSmithson Productions
Talyati@gmail.com
Mob: +44 79069 18959
Mob (US): +1 917 721 5280

Last month plans were announced by Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg for the 9th Annual September 11th Commemoration Ceremony which will take place at Zuccotti Park, adjacent to the World Trade Center site.

If you or anyone you know would like to participate in reading the names of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack - please contact cferer@cityhall.nyc.gov or call 212-442-8953 by Friday, August 6th.