COMMEMORATION EVENTS |
2008 Commemoration Activities- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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"Inscription of Hope" – inscription created during Holocaust by Jews in hiding |
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On Hope
By Christie Coombs
A couple of weeks ago, I took my daughter Meaghan to college for her first time. After crying all the way home, I went up to my room and found that she had left me a present. It was a journal containing a hope quote on each page. On the first page she wrote me a letter. She told me how she had chosen this gift because I had given her hope, even through her darkest days as she struggled through depression after her dad died. Of course I began crying again, and sat and wrote about hope, inspired by her words. This is what I wrote.
Hope – a look toward a positive outcome that we create in our mind. Sometimes we see that outcome; sometimes not. But without hope, there would be little meaning in our lives, and even the smallest obstacles would seem unmanageable. There would be no reason to take the next step. Hope is what gets us through the day.
Hope is what has gotten each of us through the last 7 years, and will guide us through the next 7 and beyond.
We find hope in little things and translate them into signs. Some know the spiritual connotation of a dragonfly, so when one lands on our shoulder, we see it as our loved one saying hello. When we find a penny on the sidewalk, we pick it up, adding it to our collection of pennies from heaven. When we see a rainbow, we admire it, submit it to memory, and thank our loved one for letting us know they’re watching over us. A heart-shaped rock found on the beach brings warmth from within, and we treasure it as if it’s a gift. Messages from heaven come in all forms. And they give us hope and a reason to smile.
So many changes have occurred in our lives since September 11, 2001 – the day we all thought hope was gone when our families were devastated with an event so horrific even today we sometimes sit back and think “I can’t believe this happened.” But as we learned to grieve and accepted the new life forced upon us, we reluctantly began to realize that life must go on. Changes would happen, both good and bad, and we would find a way to welcome the good and live with the bad; we would come to celebrate the positive changes and embrace them. Through those changes we find comfort in memories, revisited often as we experience different phases of life. As siblings surpass the age of their older sibling who was lost on September 11, their minds take them back to their joyous time of childhood or earlier times together as young adults; as families celebrate a momentous occasion, we lament the absence of our loved ones, recall other happy occasions that occurred before 9/11 and think about how they would have loved and maybe even been the life of this party; when new babies are born into families, we sometimes honor those lost with a namesake; spouses have found new love, not replacing the love they shared with their husband or wife, but adding a new chapter of happiness as their loved one would have wanted it. And as the children grow, we find ways to keep the love and memories of their parent vibrant within them. We see hope in the children, everyday.
It’s truly amazing to see how the children have grown. The youngest child of 9/11, as they are unfortunately known, is 6 years old this year. As we’ve seen the children create themselves over the last 7 years, we marvel at how much they remind us of their parent, or even their aunt or uncle, brother or sister, or grandparent; how they’ve acquired some of their mannerisms, how their laugh is strikingly similar, and how a glance gives the allusion that the person lost is back in the room. Although it has been difficult on many different levels, we are encouraged by the kids’ ability to live life despite the incredible loss they’ve experienced. We help them, and they help us, find ways to remember, to commemorate and to go forward.
Human nature leans toward hopefulness, and it is nurtured from within us. Because of hope, we have accomplished incredible things, even when we thought hope was a thing of the past. Where we continue to go from this day depending on our willingness to imagine and then seek the possibilities. We are led there by our loved ones, whom we honor today.
I thought of you with love today
But that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday and
Days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often
Speak your name.
All I have are memories and your
Picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake
With which I’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping,
I have you in my heart.
-unknown author
Ode to Carrie
By Jaime Progen and Matthew Progen (from remembrance book layout of Carrie Progen)
moments stranded in time past
forever trapped in a memory
but cherished forever, growing stronger day by day
remembering, smiling, crying, wondering why it had to be
but always, the memory of all the yesterdays
that flow within my mind
bring an inner strength that stems from you
and the legacy you left behind
your life was taken, but not forgotten
your loving spirit will live on through time
for every day that I live and breathe
your hear will beat with mine.
Beloved Heroes
By Rina Zarba
We shall see you in the twinkling of the stars
When twilight comes to comfort us at sleep
We shall see you in the brightness of the dawns
As we awaken with thoughts that are so deep.
Each time, we will remember who you were
Cherishing the days you spent upon this earth
Helping to lighten this pain we now endure
We shall keep alive the memory of your birth.
Our faith will keep us strong, when we grow weak
For there is solace in knowing where you are
God’s Loving Arms enfold you now, as we seek
To find your nearness in the twinkling of a star.
“Just as man cannot live without dreams, he cannot live without hope. If dreams reflect the past, hope summons the future. Does this mean that our future can be built on a rejection of the past? Surely such a choice is not necessary. The two are not incompatible. The opposite of the past is not the future but the absence of future; the opposite of the future is not the past but the absence of past. The loss of one is equivalent to the sacrifice of the other.”
Elie Weisel, excerpt from 1986 Nobel Peace Prize Speech
Beannacht
John O’Donohue – Anam Cara
On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colors,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach* of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the water
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
Hope is the thing with feathers
By Emily Dickinson
Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Inscription of Hope
(these lyrics were created during the Holocaust by Jews in hiding)
I believe in the sun even when it is
not shining.
And I believe in love even when there’s no one there.
And I believe in God even when He is silent
I believe through any trial, there is always a way.
But sometimes in this suffering and hopeless despair
My heart cries for shelter and hope someone’s there.
But a voice rises within me saying, ‘hold on my child
I'll give you strength I'll give you hope
Just stay a little while.’
May there someday be sunshine,
May there some day be happiness,
May there someday be love,
May there some day be peace
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Closing Reflection
By Rabbi Hannah Gershon
The human experience of tragedy is addressed by all religions and wisdom traditions in the world. It is the story of the sufferings of the Buddha, the battles of the Prophet Mohamed, the betrayal of Jesus, and the exile of the Jews. Although the details of our traditions differ, their meaning for our lives is common to all humanity. The message is one of hope and transformation. The Buddha suffers and finds enlightenment; the Prophet confronts battle and ascends to Heaven; Jesus is crucified and rises; the Jews are repeatedly crushed yet they endure to this day. God, the Source of all Life, speaks to humanity through all faiths, in all languages, and says to us, “In every place where you find My divine spirit, you will find hope;” and there is no place empty of the divine spirit, for God Who created the heavens also created the earth, and God Who created light also created darkness. Even in that darkness, you will find the Source of all Life.
The biblical Book of Job is an ancient epic of personal tragedy that may be familiar to many of you. It is an example of a person who loses everything and everyone dear to him. He loses his children, he loses his possessions and wealth, and in a final blow, he loses the health and wellbeing of his body. As he descends into despair, he complains that a tree whose trunk is cut down is better off than a human being, for the tree can sprout again from its roots but a person, once cut down, cannot sprout again. But in the end, his own experience proves him wrong, for when he can descend no further he meets God in the darkest depth of his despair. His roots find the well of the waters of the Living Spirit deep in the earth, and he sprouts new, living branches from the cut trunk of his own life. Like a tree, he was not uprooted, and, like a tree, he grows anew, rebuilding his family and his life in faith and love.
Every family, every individual, who has lost a loved one in 9/11 is as a tree whose trunk has been cut down. That trunk will not re-grow; but you have not been up-rooted. Your roots have found the waters of hope that lie buried deep within the ground. Even in that place of darkness, the eternal God, the Source of Life, is there, too. After a winter of grieving, new branches are appearing, healthy shoots are emerging from the memory of the trunk that was cut down.
Some of you have established scholarships and foundations so that the learning and generosity of a sibling will live on. Some have created beautiful parks where the grace and kindness of a parent will live on. And, as we’ve just seen, three more expressions of hope and renewal: “Ace’s Place,” where sick children and their families find relief from the draining sterility of the hospital; a joyful music concert, celebrating the memory of a father; a painting expressing the dawn of hope formed by the memory of an uncle. But just as important is the new growth that blossoms in private. It is alive and growing in the determination of those who have survived this tragedy to live each day to the fullest. It is alive and growing each time you find the courage to share laughter with a grandchild who may not remember the laughter of his or her parent, who was the child you lost. It is alive and growing whenever you dare to gaze with love into the eyes of a partner or spouse you did not know before. This is the hope, this is the life that you have drawn up through deep roots, nourished by the waters of the sacred Source of Life that lie hidden in the deep, dark place within and below.
Like Job in the ancient biblical epic, your roots have survived the cutting of your trunk, and you are blossoming with renewed life. May each one of you continue to draw hope from deep roots nourished by waters of life that flow from the Eternal Source of all Life, and may you all continue to bring forth new branches that reach toward the light of a new day.
Letter to
families from Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Thursday,
September 11th at 8:30 am
BATTLESHIP COVE 9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
On Thursday, September 11th Battleship Cove will conduct a Remembrance Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial site commencing at 8:30 AM. Following brief opening remarks and a prayer offered by Reverend Monsignor Thomas Harrington, Fall River Fire Department Chaplain, a contingent of Fire & Police personnel will assemble on the USS Massachusetts for the casting of a wreath followed by a 21 gun salute in memory of those who perished during the terrorist attack.
Battleship Cove preserves the world’s largest collection of historic naval ships and serves as the official memorial to all Massachusetts service personnel who gave their lives in World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. Preserving five National Historic Landmark naval vessels, Battleship Cove also delivers educational programs that expose a national audience of over 60,000 youth to a mission that promotes duty, honor and country. Battleship Cove is open all, 362 days of the year. Free parking. Wardroom Grille. Gift Shop. (508) 678-1100, (800) 533-3194; fax (508) 674-5597; www.battleshipcove.org.
Thursday,
September 11th 7pm - 9 pm
8th
Annual 9/11 Vigil
Boston Common, Boston, Massachusetts
Bandstand Gazebo near Tremont Street (between Park Street red line and Boylston Street green line “T” stops)
Please join us for
the oldest commemorative 9/11 Vigil in the United States
in honor of not only, Sonia Mercedes Morales Puopolo,
but also all victims of 9/11, and victims of terrorism
and violence worldwide. Join daughter Sonia Tita
Puopolo, as she leads the Vigil program and includes
prayers, songs and a special collaborative and
commemorative artistic presentation by Nada Farhat.
Nada is a renowned artist from Saudi Arabia and
throughout the Middle East where her work is focused on
healing, peace and harmony. This year will also honor
the launch of Sonia's Ring Foundation dedicated to
Tita’s mother Sonia who was on American Flight 11, the
first plane that hit the World Trade Center, in
promoting arts and communication to help advance
humanity over insanity.
The 9/11 Commemorative Vigil was initiated by Communication Politics and Law at Emerson College in Boston, an organization that Tita served as President during her studies at Emerson. It has been co-sponsored by the Saudi American Exchange, the first grass roots diplomacy effort in the wake of 9/11, founded by Emerson Professor Dr. J. Gregory Payne and Prince Faisal F. Al Saud. Past vigils have not only included speakers and students from Harvard University, Boston University, MIT, Boston College, Yale, Illinois, Texas, USC, but people of all ages and varying cultural backgrounds.
Come be a part of furthering harmony as we unite as one community toward peace, loving kindness, and understanding. Let us replace insanity with humanity.
For more information please contact CPLA officers, Aaron Bacon, aaron_bacon@emerson.edu and Randi Heylek, Randi_Heylek@emerson.edu.
Thursday,
September 4th at 3pm
Dedication
ceremony and youth basketball clinic will be held to
officially open Tyler’s Court
Springfield, MA
Hall
of Fame Teams Up With Tyler Ugolyn Foundation To
Refurbish Court For YMCA in Springfield
“Tyler’s Court” a
Tribute to Springfield
Native
and Columbia University Player Lost on 9/11; Will
Create Lasting Opportunities for City Youth.
Springfield, MA
– August 18, 2008 – The Naismith Memorial Basketball
Hall of Fame has announced it will partner with the
Tyler Ugolyn Foundation to refurbish the
Lower Liberty Heights
basketball court at the
YMCA of Greater Springfield’s Chestnut Street
branch. A dedication ceremony and youth
basketball clinic will be held to officially open
Tyler’s Court on Thursday, September 4th
at 3 p.m.
The Tyler Ugolyn
Foundation was established to honor Tyler Ugolyn, a
former basketball student-athlete at Columbia
University who, at the age of 23, was a victim of
the terrorist attack in New York City on September
11, 2001. The Springfield court is the latest in a
series of nationwide renovation projects funded by
the Foundation, and furthers the Foundation’s
mission to provide children in urban settings from
coast-to-coast the opportunity to participate in the
game of basketball.
The Springfield court
refurbishment project has a unique significance to
the Foundation, as Tyler and his younger brother,
Trevor, were both born in Springfield as was their
father, Victor. Both parents, Diane and Victor,
were raised in the city. In addition, Victor serves
as a member of the Hall of Fame Board of Trustees,
and the Foundation has also partnered with the Hall
of Fame to renovate a YMCA court in San Antonio
during the NCAA Final Four in that city this past
April.
“We are extremely
proud to continue assisting the Tyler Ugolyn
Foundation in their efforts to celebrate Tyler’s
passion for basketball and further his lifelong
desire to share his love of the game with children
in our nation’s cities, and now our own
community”, stated John L. Doleva, Hall of
Fame President and CEO. “Thanks to the Ugolyn
Foundation there will now be a ‘Tyler’s Court’ in the city
where basketball was first played, and
because of Tyler’s love of basketball and his giving
spirit, thousands of Springfield children will be
able to shoot for their own dreams at the YMCA
Lower Liberty Heights
court for generations to come”.
Tyler's father,
Victor Ugolyn, said: "On behalf of our family, we
are very appreciative of the wonderful support of
the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the YMCA. Our
beloved Tyler loved the game of basketball, and
while a student-athlete at Columbia helped establish
a basketball clinic for youngsters in Harlem. We
gain some comfort from Jackie Robinson's epitaph
which states that “The value of one's life is not
determined by the number of years but by the number
of lives you've touched."
The Tyler’s Court
project in Springfield provides a much needed
renovation for the Lower Liberty Heights basketball
court, including a
new playing surface, new goal stanchions,
team benches, fan seating, improved landscaping
and many additional amenities to provide a first
class playing facility for the thousands of
Springfield children served by the YMCA.
In a joint statement, Neil Nicoll,
President and CEO of YMCA of the USA, and James O’S. Morton,
President and CEO of the YMCA of Springfield,
stated, “The YMCA is grateful for this generous gift
from the Ugolyn Foundation, a gift which will not
only honor the memory of Tyler Ugolyn, but also
contribute substantially to the holistic development
of children and youth in Springfield.
Through this gift, the Tyler Ugolyn
Foundation supports the YMCA in building strong
kids, strong families and strong communities.
“
The Tyler Ugolyn
Foundation was established six years ago by Tyler's
parents, Victor and Diane, and his younger brother,
Trevor. The Foundation is committed to providing
support to youth basketball, with an emphasis on
court refurbishment and providing character building
educational programs and skills clinics to children
in urban settings. All courts nationwide funded by
the Foundation are named “Tyler’s Court’, so noted
with a special plaque installed at each court along
with the words “I just love playing the game’, a
quote attributed to Tyler while a high school
player.
For more information about the Tyler
Ugolyn Foundation and the
dedication ceremony in Springfield on
Thursday, September 4th at 3:00 p.m.,
please contact the following:
Basketball Hall of Fame-
Molly Large (413).231.5513 or
mlarge@hoophall.com
Greater Springfield YMCA-
James O’S. Morton, President/CEO, at 413.739.6951
The Tyler Ugolyn Foundation- Victor Ugolyn- 203-733-7710
email: victor.ugolyn.tu72@alum.dartmouth.org
website:
www.tylerugolyn.com
YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation’s 2,663 YMCAs, which serve nearly 20.2 million people each year, including 9.4 million children under the age of 18. Through a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, health and well-being for all and family strengthening, YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs have proudly served America’s communities for nearly 160 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Activate America® is the YMCA’s response to our nation’s growing health crisis. YMCAs are redefining themselves and engaging communities across the country to better support Americans of all ages who are struggling to achieve and maintain well-being of spirit, mind and body. Visit www.ymca.net to find your local YMCA.
September 11th 6:00-8:00 pm
Honor Dinner
You are cordially invited to a special dinner in honor of families who have loved ones in the military and to pay tribute to the heroes and victims of 9/11/01. This is completely a non-political event. It is merely a way of saying THANK YOU for your sacrifices. There is no cost to you what-so-ever.
When: Thursday September 11, 2008
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Myriad Ballroom, Rte. 16, Mendon, MA
Please RSVP by September 5, 2008 to:
Michael Shain 508-330-8487 or tomatt@comcast.net
If leaving a message, please leave your name and your number.
Thanks to
Yanks
C/O Michael Shain
15 Virginia Drive
Milford, MA 01757
America Supports You Freedom
Walk
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/freedomwalk/
WHAT IS THE AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU FREEDOM WALK?
The America Supports You Freedom Walk is a national tradition that calls on people to reflect on the lives lost on September 11, 2001, remember those who responded, honor our veterans past and present, and renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country. Each year the number of walks held throughout the nation grows, as more people are moved to participate.
The tradition was born when Pentagon employees, seeking a way to honor the victims of the attack on the Pentagon and their families, and pay tribute to those who responded to that attack as well as those who serve, organized a walk from the Pentagon to the National Mall. Nearly 15,000 people took part. Now, America Supports You Freedom Walks are taking place in communities across the nation. Last year 255 communities participated, and every state was represented, along with eight nations overseas.
Saturday, October 25th at 9:00am
Welles Remy Crowther 4th Annual Red Bandanna 5k
Run/Walk
Click here for more info.
