IN THE NEWS ARCHIVES

Board of Directors Reaffirms Commitment to 9/11 Families

At the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, Inc. held July 17, 2006, the Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Dan England, presented its final report for discussion and Board vote. The Committee had issued two reports previously, each of which was vetted in paper and on this website with the entire constituency of the Fund, families, board members, staff, funding and partner organizations and individuals.

The Board voted affirmatively at this meeting to select a strategy that ensures the continuity of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund so that it will remain a source of support, strength and renewal for the family members, as the donors intended. This strategy provides for a transition to a structure which provides for increased participation and leadership for family members who wish to be involved.

Over the coming six to twelve months, the Board of Directors, Family Advisory Committee, and staff Diane Nealon and Erica Cabag, will work to identify the funding priorities for the future and the duration of those priorities.

The Board of Directors looks forward to reaffirming the organization's commitment on behalf of the many generous donors to the families of 9/11 - and to continue our mission to accomplish our important shared goal - to strengthen the resolve and the resiliency of the families and offer tools for growth.

The National Park Service announced today that the Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Flight

93 National Memorial will be available for public review starting Friday, June 16, 2006. The review period will last for 60 days and conclude on August 14, 2006. The Flight 93 Advisory Commission, the Families of Flight 93 and the Flight 93 Memorial Task Force have worked as partners alongside the National Park Service in creating the plan.

Release of the draft plan is the culmination of a grassroots planning process that began in 2003. The process was highlighted by the completion of an international design competition and the announcement of a selected design for the national memorial in September 2005. "It's extremely rewarding to know that so many people had a hand in creating this plan.

Families of the passengers and crew, local residents, public agencies, and people across the country provided their insights and time to ensure that we create a fitting tribute to the passengers and crew of Flight 93," said Joanne Hanley, Superintendent of the Flight 93 National Memorial.

The National Park Service is required by law to prepare a General Management Plan for all sites within the national park system. The document presents a vision for developing and managing the national memorial for the next 15-20 years and evaluates any related impacts. "We took great care in developing this plan so we would minimize disruptions to the lives of local residents," said Esther Heymann, Co-Chair of the General Management Plan Committee and the step-mother of Elizabeth Wainio who was lost on Flight 93.

The Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement will be on public review for 60 days. The document can be viewed and downloaded from the project website (www.flight93memorialproject.org) or a printed copy can be requested by writing to or visiting the National Park Service project office at 109 W. Main Street, Suite 104, Somerset, PA 15501. The public is also encouraged to join the National Park Service and the project partners at an open house and public meeting that will be held at the Shanksville-Stonycreek School on Thursday, July 20, 2006 from 7:00-9:00pm.

Comments on the document may be submitted via the project website, at the public open house, or in writing to the National Park Service office at the address above. Comments must be received by August 14, 2006 to be considered in the final plan, which will be released in the late-summer.

The planning process will formally conclude in the Fall of 2006 with the issuance of a Record of Decision by the National Park Service.

About the Flight 93 National Memorial:

On September 24, 2002, the United States Congress passed the Flight 93 National Memorial Act. The Act created a new national park unit to commemorate the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting a planned attack on our nation's capital. The national memorial is at the site of the Flight 93 crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Post-Moussaoui Trial Private Meeting for Family Members - Pre-Registration Requested

In response to requests from family members who attended the CCTV broadcast of the Moussaoui trial, the Boston U.S. Attorney's Office has arranged a post-trial meeting to answer questions you may have about the case and the defendant's incarceration at the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility in Florence, Colorado.

The meeting will be a private one, for family members only, on August 3, 2006, at 10:30 A.M. U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan will participate in this meeting with Assistant U.S. Attorney David Novak and Victim Witness Coordinator Karen Spinks from the Alexandria, VA U.S. Attorney's Office, and two officials from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Michael Nalley, Regional Director, and Daryl Kosiak, Regional Counsel, from the Federal Bureau Prisons North Central Regional Office in Kansas City, KS, which has jurisdiction over the Administrative Maximum Penitentiary in Florence, CO, will participate in the meeting.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Novak is a member of the Moussaoui prosecution team. He was the federal prosecutor who met with family members in January 2006 prior to the start of the trial.

The August 3, 2006 meeting scheduled for 10:30 will be held in the U.S. Attorney's Office, located on the 9th floor of the federal courthouse. If you plan to attend please call or e-mail the Boston U.S. Attorney's Office by July 31, 2006.

If you are unable to attend but have questions, e-mail your questions to USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. They will raise your questions at the meeting and then follow-up with you.

Please remember that two forms of identification are required to enter the federal courthouse, but only one form must have a photo on it. All electronic devices must be checked at the main entrance. To register for the meeting:

Call: Kathleen Griffin at 617-748-3140 or Julie Santos at 617-748-3129 or E-mail: USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

Trailer for Oliver Stone's Movie World Trade Center Shows in Theaters

Oliver Stone is directing the movie, World Trade Center, about two Port Authority Police Officers, Sergeant John McLoughlin and Officer Will Jimeno, who survived the collapse of the towers on September 11th. The release is anticipated either in the late summer or fall of this year.

Recently, dozens of members of the PAPD, FDNY, and NYPD traveled to the set of World Trade Center in California to film scenes of the officers’ heroic rescue and to provide technical support to ensure that the movie is as authentic and accurate as possible. Many of those who visited the set responded to the World Trade Center attacks and some were directly involved in the rescue of Sergeant McLoughlin and Officer Jimeno and will appear as extras in the film.

The preview for World Trade Center will be shown at theaters around the country along with the following films -

'The Break Up’

‘An Inconvenient Truth’

‘The DaVinci Code’

Television ads are expected to begin in early July.

Family members are encouraged to contact Jennifer Brown via email or phone: jbrown@a2bllc.com ; (917) 885-3672.

If you are interested in viewing the image of the poster, which features a silhouette of the World Trade Center towers before the events of 9/11/01, you may click here.

Also, if you would like to view the trailer for the film so that you know what to expect if you end up seeing it prior to another film you are seeing, please click here for the official movie site: http://www.wtcmovie.com/

Enroll Now for the FOS11 Online Chat on Thursday, July 6, 8pm-9pm EDT

9/11 Online Community Support Group:

Get the Word Out

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Mead, Margaret American anthropologist (1901-1978)

So many family members have contributed wonderful ideas for reaching out to others at their time of need; their thoughts range from suggestions for self-care to improving family communications. Often these activities and words take courage. Courage to tell others and courage to listen. At a time when family members want others to support and reach out to them...the reverse is often true. It is the grieving family member who becomes the 'teacher' showing friends and acquaintances how much they need the support of others. This chat session will serve to explore ways to 'get the word' out...about the nature of loss, what helps the healing process and why the compassion and concern of friends and families is the most important tool we have for healing and recovery.

Please join your peers in the 9/11 community for an online chat on Thursday, July 6th from 8-9PM EST. This online chat session will provide 9/11 victims' families, survivors, first responders, and others affected by the attacks at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and Shanksville the opportunity to discuss issues and topics of importance in a safe, supportive environment. As a reminder, all participants must be FOS11 members (please see below on how to register as a member - membership is free). Dr. Donna Gaffney, a licensed mental health professional and noted trauma specialist, will facilitate the chat.

Enroll Now:

http://www.familiesofseptember11.org/chat2/membership_form.asp?chatID=70606

After you login, you will be able to choose an anonymous chat name (which will identify you in the chat room) and a password. Then, you will receive an email with a link to the chat. On Thursday, July 6th at 8pm, please click on the link that is emailed to you and enter your chosen chat name and password. As a reminder, all participants must be 18 years of age or older and members of Families of September 11 (FOS11). To register as a FOS11 member, please click on the link at the bottom of this email. If you have any problems or questions, contact chathelp@familiesofseptember11.org or 212-575-1878.

Moussaoui Jury Returns Verdict - Penalty Phase to Continue

The jury in Alexandria, Virginia has returned the verdict that Zacarias Moussaoui lying to the FBI following his arrest three weeks before the September 11 attacks led to the deaths in the hijacked airliner attacks. On Thursday, April 6, the trial will recommence to consider whether or not he is to receive the death penalty. The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund is continuing to partner with Catholic Charities, Boston Medical Center, and the United States Attorney General's Victim Services unit in Boston to provide support to those attending the trial at the Moakley Court House. In addition, there are ongoing, open support sessions available to everyone, attending the trial or not. Details can be found at: http://www.massfund.org/moussaouitrial.html. The next phase of the trial will focus on victim impact statements and is expected to be quite detailed and graphic, perhaps including autopsy photographs (used with the permission of surviving family members). The Fund wishes to be be available to all of you, so please contact us during the trial, and afterwards, as the need arises. We wish to provide support in whatever way may be most helpful to you individually, or in groups.

Community Support Groups – Coffee Connections & Coping

The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund and Catholic Charities are pleased to invite all Fund family members to a series of support groups entitled “Coffee Connections & Coping”, designed to assist our community in coping with the difficult Moussaoui trial. learn more

New Program

The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund is pleased to announce that in response to a need many families have expressed, we are rolling out a new program to help eligible families with some health care costs. The program, named the "Health Care Support Program", is now available. learn more

New Board Member

By a unanimous vote taken at the February meeting, the Board of the Fund accepted the report of the Nominating Committee to have Ms. Linda Gay join the Board of Directors. Ms. Gay, of Tewksbury, has 22 years of Human Resources background, including responsibility for an employee base ranging from as low as 5 to as high as 4,000. She is experienced in hiring, training, benefits, budgets and planning, compensation, and the legal aspects of employment, benefits, and all areas of human resources. With deep experience in nonprofit and profit-making companies, she has worked with Wang Laboratories, Raytheon, Cablevision, Zayre Corp and the Girl Scouts of America. Her energies have also been devoted to school-based voluntarism, serving as PTO President and PTO Treasurer for three years, focusing on fundraising and planning. Ms Gay is the widow of Peter Gay. We welcome her to the Board of Directors.

Expanded Family Advisory Board

By a unanimous vote approving a motion advanced by the Nominating Committee, the Board approved an expanded Family Advisory Committee (FAC) which now numbers twelve.

The roster is:

Christie Coombs (founding member)

Teresa Mathai (founding member)

Cynthia McGinty (founding member)

Anne MacFarlane

Diann Corcoran

Iris Friedman

Beverly Harrington

Kenneth Meltzer

Robert Harrington

George Smith

Francine Kaplan

Judy Smith

The FAC offers ongoing feedback to the professional staff of the organization to ensure that programs and services meet the interests and desires of the constituents. This is accomplished through discussion, bringing in other families and individuals as would be productive. For example, the FAC might call for a forum to open a familywide discussion on a particular issue. The FAC should call for issue-focused meetings with the Board as necessary and appropriate, open to all families. Each member of the Family Advisory Committee is also expected to work on projects or subcommittees, representing their particular interests.

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