By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
To passersby, the event mirrored that of a family reunion. It was, in fact, a family reunion of sorts, as many families of 9/11 victims met face to face for the very first time that day. Also attending were those individuals from across the nation that, even though they knew no one personally who had died in the attack on the World Trade Center, were none the less drawn to September's Mission by a combination of respect, reverence and a familiarity of heart bred of many voices striving toward the same goal. That goal is a grassroots fundraising effort dedicated to the future memorial at the World Trade Center site.
Long Islander Jill Pall became the Executive Director of the September's Mission Foundation in December 2002 in order to further her tireless work on behalf of families of victims of Sept. 11.
Pall said she chose an excursion on the USS Sequoia as a fund-raiser because of its place in history, as well the history September's Mission is working to create. Pall said, "The name of the event is 'Past, Present and Future: An Historic Voyage.' What better way to capture the past, present and future than aboard the Presidential Yacht?" Tickets for the event were sold at $500 each. Pall expects that with a combination of corporate sponsors and tickets sold the event will raise about $50,000.
Long Beach native Bradley Blakeman, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Appointments and Scheduling, was present to accept the gift of a 'Remembrance Flag' on behalf of President Bush.
"The President is in Africa and he thought it was important for a senior staff person to represent him," Blakeman said. But Blakeman had a personal reason to attend the event, as well. Blakeman's nephew, court officer Thomas Jurgens of Valley Stream, was a combat trained medic. On Sept. 11 2001, Jurgens commandeered a jury van and rushed with supplies in an effort to help victims shortly after the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. He never returned. Jurgens was 26-years-old and married for only six months.
Blakeman said he has shared his thoughts on what he would like the World Trade Center Memorial to be with his brother, Bruce Blakeman, Nassau's former Presiding Officer and now a board member of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Blakeman said, "Personally, I'd like to see each person's name on the memorial." This sentiment was echoed time and again by family members attending the event. Ellen Saracini agreed with Blakeman.
Saracini has channeled much of her grief into helping to create a memorial park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which lost 17 community members in the attacks. She is equally committed to seeing to completion a memorial at the site of the World Trade Center, where her husband Victor Saracini, pilot of Flight 175, lost his life. The plane Victor had been piloting struck Tower Two.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Pataki was New York State Secretary of State, Randy Daniels. Daniels said the Governor wanted to commend September's Mission on its work as well as pledge his support towards creating a "soaring memorial." Daniels said, "By working together we will see that the vision becomes a reality." Larry Levy, spokesperson for former mayor Rudolph Giuliani, also spoke of a soaring memorial. A resounding round of applause followed Levy's statement on a core issue put into words for many survivors, "Let business development follow, not lead." Those present want to see the memorial set as the priority in lower Manhattan's redevelopment.
September's Mission hopes to raise in excess of $100 million and to work in cooperation with public agencies to financially support the memorial's development, operations, educational programming, and long-term sustainability. Held in a trust account, every dollar donated to the 9/11 campaign will be designated exclusively for these purposes.
Historic setting for historic mission
The sun reflecting brightly on the majestic Potomac and the Washington Monument towering in the distance provided the perfect backdrop as the evening kicked off with a dockside cocktail reception at the Cantina Marina.
The USS Sequoia is privately owned by The Sequoia Presidential Yacht Group, LLC, based in Washington D.C., and was provided by Gary Silversmith for fundraising purposes. The 104-foot yacht was built in 1925, has served more than nine Presidents and has been designated by Congress to be a national landmark. The Presidential Seal can be found throughout the impressive vessel. Past Presidents such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton all made extensive use of the boat for entertaining visiting dignitaries. An assortment of pictures and mementos of Presidents aboard the Sequoia are prominently displayed in both the sitting and dining areas.
Christina Hannah made the trip to the fund-raiser from Indiana. Twenty-three years old at the time of the tragedy, Hannah did not lose anyone personally but was deeply affected and created a tribute website.
Gwen Loicano of North Carolina, also not a survivor yet grief stricken by the events of Sept. 11, created a 'Remembrance Flag.' Hannah, while web searching, found Loicano's site about her flags, which are available for purchase, and decided to lend Loicano a hand with her website. Loicano expressed her joy at meeting someone for the first time who has been like a best friend. Loicano said, "You can't even believe how many hundreds of emails we've exchanged!"
When asked if there would be a consensus by the members of September's Mission as to which plan for a memorial should be picked, Pall said, "We [September's Mission] have confidence that what the jury selects will be best." The jury is 13-member panel of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The LMDC is a state-city corporation created by Governor Pataki and then-Mayor Giuliani in the aftermath of Sept. 11.
At an event where silver survivor bracelets were a common accessory, it was expected that emotions would run high. What may have been surprising was the overwhelming outpouring of love, mutual support and inner strength radiated by so many. September's Mission's, "Past, Present and Future: An Historic Voyage," was many things. It was the first step towards a meaningful goal. It was an evening of history. It was an evening to remember, and most especially it was an evening to make certain no future generations ever forget the events of Sept. 11 2001 and the thousands of innocent lives lost that day. To learn more about September's Mission or to get involved, contact September's Mission at 888-424-4685 or info@septembersmission.org.
