Flight 93 Heroes Honored on 9/11 at Shanksville

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — The families of the 40 passengers and crew killed when Flight 93 knifed into a rural Pennsylvania field a decade ago Sunday were praised for helping to inspire a new generation of Americans while keeping the memories of their loved ones' dedication and courage burning brightly.

At a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, nearly 5,000 people listened as the names of the passengers and crew who were killed were read aloud while bells tolled. Afterward, a choir sang as those in the crowd — including family members, first responders, politicians and nearly 1,000 people who came to participate — listened intently.

"Over the past 10 years we have heard this place compared to many other places" including the Alamo and Gettysburg, Gov. Tom Corbett said at the newly dedicated national park that marks the site where Flight 93 crashed. "But the truth is that this place is like no other because the deeds aboard Flight 93 were like no other."

Corbett said the victims "charted a new course, set a new standard for American bravery."

Sunday's memorial service at the Flight 93 Memorial, about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, was being held in concert with ceremonies in New York City and Washington, D.C., where other hijacked jets crashed into both towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Former Gov. Tom Ridge, the nation's first head of homeland security, thanked the approximately 2,000 people who came to the memorial for Sunday's service.

"I think your presence today means almost as much to the families, perhaps as much as the memorial itself," Ridge said. "Your very presence is a powerful message of comfort and understanding and love."

The families then turned and gave the visitors a standing ovation.

Ridge went on to pay tribute to the victims, saying their actions prove "Americans don't live in fear, we live in freedom"

Gordon Felt, brother of passenger Edward and president of the Families of Flight 93, directed some of his comments to the relatives of the other victims.

"I only wish I could have gotten to know each and every one of you under different circumstances," he said. "We lost too much."

Visitors to the Flight 93 service observed moments of silence at 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m. — the times when two other airliners were crashed into New York's twin towers. They did the same at 9:37 a.m., when a third airliner hit the Pentagon.

There was no moment of silence at 10:03 a.m. at the memorial, but the emotion there was evident.

Susan Stine, 52, of Tamaqua, Pa., said she has come to the Flight 93 crash site to mark the anniversary each year.

"Everybody was going to New York for the first anniversary and we came here. I can't imagine not being here on 9/11," Stine said.

"The first time, I wanted to come here to see how it was, and it was amazing. I feel differently when I leave here every year," she said. "I feel better in my heart."

U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, D-Pa, choked up as he spoke about the Wall of Names, a series of 40 marble slabs inscribed with the names of the victims.

Told that the pattern of the wall delineates the flight path of the jet before it crashed, Critz said, "Ten years of emotion came rushing in."

The passengers aboard Flight 93 were hijacked after taking off from New Jersey.

Flight 93 crashed after passengers and crew, some alerted by cell phone calls from loved ones about the New York attacks, decided to try to wrest control of their plane from four hijackers.

The plane crashed during the struggle, and investigators later determined the hijackers intended to crash it into the Capitol in Washington, D.C., where the House and Senate were in session that morning.

On the Net:
■Flight 93 National Memorial: http://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4wMJGEzTVFgAo1qf6P_RityAwag?docId=94b045f27284409c8954834a5c97241a

First Reponders at Ground Zero not Covered For Cancer Treatment

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Ralph and Barbara Geidel have spent close to $100,000 on his medical treatment since 2003, when the former fireman and 9/11 first responder was first diagnosed with tongue and neck cancer.

"We've already used up all of our savings," said his wife, Barbara. "We're now living paycheck to paycheck."

The Geidels were hoping to finally get some health insurance help with their mounting medical bills, when President Obama earlier this year signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

The Zadroga Act, also known as the First Responders Bill, sets aside $1.5 billion in federal and New York City funds to cover all costs for treating certain 9/11-related illnesses, and $2.7 billion in compensation for victims who suffered economic hardship as a result of the attacks.

But the law hasn't done a thing for the Geidels when it comes to filling the health insurance gap, because cancer is not one of the medical conditions currently approved to be covered by the fund.

Illnesses that are eligible for full coverage include asthma, lung disease, chronic cough syndrome, laryngitis, sleep apnea, sinusitis, digestive disorders, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, which is administering the fund, there isn't enough scientific evidence linking cancer in first responders to their exposure to toxic substances from the 9/11 attacks.

The fund took effect on July 1, and since then it has received 86 applications, enrolled 25 people and paid out just over $1 million dollars in claims.

"This bill was rushed. It should have included coverage for cancer," said Barbara Geidel, expressing a view widely held by cancer stricken first responders and their families.

New research
A new study released Thursday by The Lancet medical journal examines the link between the incidence of cancer and exposure to 9/11 related substances, and seems to support her point.

It tracked 9,853 firefighters and found that those who were exposed to substances at Ground Zero are 19% more likely to develop cancer than firefighters who were not exposed.

Firefighters responding to 9/11 at increased cancer risk
Ralph Geidel, 54, retired from the FDNY in 1985 and moved to California to mine for gold. It was there that he met his wife Barbara. He returned to New York on Sept. 14, 2001, to rejoin his former unit Rescue Co. 1 and search for his brother Gary, also a firefighter who was in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

He's currently on a cross-country trip from California to Ground Zero on his Harley-Davidson, which is his way to honor his brother and find closure.

Ralph worked 36 straight hours when he first got to New York three days after 9/11, and then for months after that at Ground Zero.

Hounded by bill collectors
He has health insurance through the FDNY. But after his cancer diagnosis, he returned to California and was treated by specialists who were out of network and therefore not covered by his insurance.

That meant the Geidels had to pay much more out of pocket for Ralph's cancer treatments, including radiation and surgeries.

Although his doctors haven't clearly established the link between exposure to 9/11 toxins and his cancer, Barbara said one specialist did tell the couple that the toxins were probably what caused his type of cancer to show up at a much younger age than it typically does.

"His oncologist said this type of cancer is seen in a 60 -70 year old who's a heavy smoker and drinker," she said, adding that her husband was diagnosed at 44 and is neither a heavy drinker or smoker

Look, we're tired of begging for help. We're hounded by bill collectors. We're not asking for a handout. We're asking for a hand," said Barbara.

It's a different story for Chris Doran, 42, a first responder and former New York City police officer who called the Zadroga Act a huge relief.

In the 10 years since the terror attacks, Doran has suffered many sleepless nights thanks to his injuries and his medical bills.

But now, he says, "the government is paying for all of my therapy and medications."

Prior to the Zadroga Act, Doran was struggling to pay the steep out-of-pocket costs for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and a sinus condition so severe that it has required five sinus operations.

Companies in the Twin Towers: Before and after
"I went there on Sept. 14 but I didn't last very long," said Doran. After 14 hours at Ground Zero, his blood pressure shot up and he couldn't breathe.

He didn't return to Ground Zero after that. Three years later, Doran retired from the New York Police Department, moved to Texas and hasn't worked since.

Fortunately, Doran continued to get health insurance through the NYPD. But because his income dropped substantially after retiring, he too struggled to pay his out-of-pocket medical costs.

"I was paying $7,000 a year for medications. I had to file for bankruptcy," he said. Doran has also attempted suicide twice.

Under the Zadroga Act, all of Doran's medical costs will be paid for by the government because his illnesses are approved for coverage by the fund.

The bill isn't perfect, said John Feal, a first responder who founded the first responder advocacy group Feal Good Foundation in 2005, but at least it's a start.

"When this bill passed, my first words were 'This is good,'" he said. "But I give it a six out of 10."

Feal hopes that an amendment is made to the Act soon to cover cancer, and the agency has said it will continue to review its policy on cancer coverage as new research and findings are released. Such a review is expected early to mid-2012.

"These first responders are heroic people who are financially devastated because of their illnesses," he said.

First Published: September 2, 2011: 5:55 AM ET
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/02/news/economy/911_health_insurance/index.htm

50 TV Programs dedicated to 9/11 Anniversary

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? Here's our channel-by-channel guide.

MNN.COM›Lifestyle›Arts & Culture
Remembering 9/11: A guide to the 10th anniversary on TV
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? Here's our channel-by-channel guide.
By Gerri MillerWed, Aug 24 2011 at 10:51 AM EST

Every year since 2001, networks and news organizations have commemorated the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with specials and documentaries, dramas and retrospectives. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Al Qaeda-perpetrated tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? We help you sort them out with this channel-by-channel guide.

ABC
Beginning at 8 AM ET on Sept. 11, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos anchor three hours of live coverage, “9/11: America Remembers Ten Years Later.” That night, “Primetime” presents the special edition “Remembrance and Renewal—10 Years After the 9/11 Attacks” (Sept. 11, 10 p.m.).

CBS
Six hours of coverage on the anniversary includes the special "9/11: America Remembers," anchored by Scott Pelley from Ground Zero (8 a.m. EST), followed by "Face the Nation" from the same location. An all-9/11 edition of "60 Minutes" airs that night (7 p.m.) followed by "9/11: Ten Years Later." "The Early Show" and "CBS Evening News" will emanate from Ground Zero all weekend.

NBC
Eleven of the 3,000 kids who lost a parent in the attacks speak out in "Children of 9/11," which follows a year in their lives (Sept. 5, 10 p.m.). Tom Brokaw hosts a two-hour 9/11 "Dateline" (Sept. 8, 9 p.m.). Incorporating the three official memorial ceremonies, "America Remembers" will air the morning of Sept. 11 (8 a.m. EDT/5 a.m. PDT), and that evening Brian Williams anchors "NBC Nightly News" from Ground Zero (6:30 p.m.).
MNN.COM›Lifestyle›Arts & Culture
Remembering 9/11: A guide to the 10th anniversary on TV
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? Here's our channel-by-channel guide.
By Gerri MillerWed, Aug 24 2011 at 10:51 AM EST

NEVER FORGET: Firefighters display a flag at the Pentagon on Sept. 12, 2001. (Photo: Flickr)
Every year since 2001, networks and news organizations have commemorated the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with specials and documentaries, dramas and retrospectives. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Al Qaeda-perpetrated tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? We help you sort them out with this channel-by-channel guide.

ABC
Beginning at 8 AM ET on Sept. 11, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos anchor three hours of live coverage, “9/11: America Remembers Ten Years Later.” That night, “Primetime” presents the special edition “Remembrance and Renewal—10 Years After the 9/11 Attacks” (Sept. 11, 10 p.m.).

CBS
Six hours of coverage on the anniversary includes the special "9/11: America Remembers," anchored by Scott Pelley from Ground Zero (8 a.m. EST), followed by "Face the Nation" from the same location. An all-9/11 edition of "60 Minutes" airs that night (7 p.m.) followed by "9/11: Ten Years Later." "The Early Show" and "CBS Evening News" will emanate from Ground Zero all weekend.

NBC
Eleven of the 3,000 kids who lost a parent in the attacks speak out in "Children of 9/11," which follows a year in their lives (Sept. 5, 10 p.m.). Tom Brokaw hosts a two-hour 9/11 "Dateline" (Sept. 8, 9 p.m.). Incorporating the three official memorial ceremonies, "America Remembers" will air the morning of Sept. 11 (8 a.m. EDT/5 a.m. PDT), and that evening Brian Williams anchors "NBC Nightly News" from Ground Zero (6:30 p.m.).



PBS
Public broadcasting's extensive slate of 9/11 programming includes a "Frontline" portrait of FBI counterterrorism agent turned World Trade Center security chief — and victim — John O'Neill, called "The Man Who Knew" (Aug. 30, 9 p.m.), an examination of anti-terrorism operations, "Top Secret America" (Sept. 6, 9 p.m.), and "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero," which addresses spiritual questions (Sept. 7, 10 p.m.). On "Nova," "Engineering Ground Zero" (above) follows the construction of One World Trade Center and the September 11 Memorial and Museum (Sept. 7, 9 p.m.), and on the anniversary date, "PBS Newshour" presents "America Remembers 9/11," examining the significance of the day throughout the nation (8 p.m.), followed by "Great Performances: The New York Philharmonic 10th Anniversary Concert for 9/11," a performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection," taped at Lincoln Center.

HBO
Rebroadcasts of the documentaries "Nine Innings From Ground Zero," focusing on the how the Yankees rallied New Yorkers during the post-9/11 World Series, and "In Memoriam: New York City 9/11/01," released on the one-year anniversary, will air several times over the weekend of Sept. 11.

FX
"Rescue Me," the drama series about New York firemen in the aftermath of 9/11 comes full circle in a series finale that bids farewell to a fallen comrade and pays tribute to the heroic FDNY. (Sept. 7, 10 p.m.)

HISTORY CHANNEL
Frantic phone messages and final goodbyes made moments before the towers fell are the basis of "Voices From Inside the Towers" (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). Focusing on the tragedy's aftermath via archival footage, "9/11: The Days After", will air commercial-free (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). It's from the filmmakers of the Emmy-winning "102 Minutes that Changed America," which will be simulcast on History, A&E and in 150 countries starting at 8:46 a.m. EST on Sept. 11 — the moment of the first impact at One World Trade Center. "Making the 9/11 Memorial" documents the creation of the "Reflecting Absence" memorial leading up to its unveiling (Sept. 11, 8 p.m.).


MNN.COM›Lifestyle›Arts & Culture
Remembering 9/11: A guide to the 10th anniversary on TV
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? Here's our channel-by-channel guide.
By Gerri MillerWed, Aug 24 2011 at 10:51 AM EST

NEVER FORGET: Firefighters display a flag at the Pentagon on Sept. 12, 2001. (Photo: Flickr)
Every year since 2001, networks and news organizations have commemorated the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with specials and documentaries, dramas and retrospectives. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Al Qaeda-perpetrated tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., is the focus of stepped-up media coverage, with more than 50 programs dedicated to the event. What to watch? We help you sort them out with this channel-by-channel guide.

ABC
Beginning at 8 AM ET on Sept. 11, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos anchor three hours of live coverage, “9/11: America Remembers Ten Years Later.” That night, “Primetime” presents the special edition “Remembrance and Renewal—10 Years After the 9/11 Attacks” (Sept. 11, 10 p.m.).

CBS
Six hours of coverage on the anniversary includes the special "9/11: America Remembers," anchored by Scott Pelley from Ground Zero (8 a.m. EST), followed by "Face the Nation" from the same location. An all-9/11 edition of "60 Minutes" airs that night (7 p.m.) followed by "9/11: Ten Years Later." "The Early Show" and "CBS Evening News" will emanate from Ground Zero all weekend.

NBC
Eleven of the 3,000 kids who lost a parent in the attacks speak out in "Children of 9/11," which follows a year in their lives (Sept. 5, 10 p.m.). Tom Brokaw hosts a two-hour 9/11 "Dateline" (Sept. 8, 9 p.m.). Incorporating the three official memorial ceremonies, "America Remembers" will air the morning of Sept. 11 (8 a.m. EDT/5 a.m. PDT), and that evening Brian Williams anchors "NBC Nightly News" from Ground Zero (6:30 p.m.).



PBS
Public broadcasting's extensive slate of 9/11 programming includes a "Frontline" portrait of FBI counterterrorism agent turned World Trade Center security chief — and victim — John O'Neill, called "The Man Who Knew" (Aug. 30, 9 p.m.), an examination of anti-terrorism operations, "Top Secret America" (Sept. 6, 9 p.m.), and "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero," which addresses spiritual questions (Sept. 7, 10 p.m.). On "Nova," "Engineering Ground Zero" (above) follows the construction of One World Trade Center and the September 11 Memorial and Museum (Sept. 7, 9 p.m.), and on the anniversary date, "PBS Newshour" presents "America Remembers 9/11," examining the significance of the day throughout the nation (8 p.m.), followed by "Great Performances: The New York Philharmonic 10th Anniversary Concert for 9/11," a performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection," taped at Lincoln Center.

HBO
Rebroadcasts of the documentaries "Nine Innings From Ground Zero," focusing on the how the Yankees rallied New Yorkers during the post-9/11 World Series, and "In Memoriam: New York City 9/11/01," released on the one-year anniversary, will air several times over the weekend of Sept. 11.

FX
"Rescue Me," the drama series about New York firemen in the aftermath of 9/11 comes full circle in a series finale that bids farewell to a fallen comrade and pays tribute to the heroic FDNY. (Sept. 7, 10 p.m.)

HISTORY CHANNEL
Frantic phone messages and final goodbyes made moments before the towers fell are the basis of "Voices From Inside the Towers" (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). Focusing on the tragedy's aftermath via archival footage, "9/11: The Days After", will air commercial-free (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). It's from the filmmakers of the Emmy-winning "102 Minutes that Changed America," which will be simulcast on History, A&E and in 150 countries starting at 8:46 a.m. EST on Sept. 11 — the moment of the first impact at One World Trade Center. "Making the 9/11 Memorial" documents the creation of the "Reflecting Absence" memorial leading up to its unveiling (Sept. 11, 8 p.m.).



NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Devoting a week of prime time to the anniversary starting Aug. 28, Nat Geo will present rebroadcasts with updated footage and new specials including "Inside 9/11: The War Continues," examining terrorism, Al-Qaeda, and the killing of Osama Bin Laden (Aug. 28, 9 p.m.), "George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview," the most in-depth interview the former president has ever given on the subject (Aug. 28, 10 p.m.), "CIA Confidential: 9/11 Mastermind," about the pursuit of terrorist Khalid Sheik Mohammed (Aug. 29, 10 p.m.), and "9/11: Where Were You?" following people who made critical decisions during the crisis (Aug. 30, 10 p.m.).

DISCOVERY
Produced by Steven Spielberg, the six-hour event "Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero" chronicles the massive effort that represents the reclamation and renaissance of Lower Manhattan, presented commercial-free Aug. 25-Sept. 1 (8-11 p.m. each night).

A&E
Photographer Andrea Booher tracks down the people she photographed that fateful day in "Portraits From Ground Zero," a commercial-free world premiere (Sept. 10, 10 p.m.).

NICKELODEON
"Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: 'What Happened?: The Story of September 11, 2001'" answers kids' questions and helps them understand the world-changing event (Sept. 1, 9 p.m.).

OWN
Twins who lost a sibling on 9/11 tell their stories in "Twins of the Twin Towers" (Sept. 11, 9 p.m.) and "From the Ground Up" focuses on the widows of firefighters (Sept. 11, 10:15 p.m.).

TLC
"9/11: Heroes of the 88th Floor" recounts the selfless bravery of two men who died saving others in the Twin Towers (Sept. 4, 9 p.m.).
INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY
"ID Investigates: 9/11 Crime Scene Investigators" (above) profiles the NYPD's Crime Scene Unit and its search for survivors and evidence at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the WTC attack (Sept. 4, 9 p.m.).

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL
A chronological account of the first 18 hours, "9/11: Day that Changed the World" includes interviews with former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (Sept. 5, 8 & 11 p.m.; Sept. 6, 5 p.m.). Personal objects from victims and survivors represent the bigger picture in "9/11: Stories in Fragments" (Sept. 5, 9:35 p.m.; Sept. 6, 12:35 a.m., 8 p.m.).

ANIMAL PLANET
A 9/11-themed edition of the series "Saved" profiles two New York families impacted by the attacks whose pets helped them deal with their loss (Sept. 7, 9 p.m.).

SHOWTIME
Grounded in New York on 9/11, Paul McCartney (above) thought the best way to help was to stage a benefit concert, the preparation for which — including rehearsals — and portions of the concert itself, are the basis of the documentary "The Love We Make" (Sept. 10, 9 p.m.). Juxtaposed against time-lapse images of the rebuilding of Ground Zero, "Rebirth" movingly tracks five people — a badly burned survivor and four who lost loved ones — in yearly interviews that show how it's possible to heal despite overwhelming loss (Sept. 11, 9 p.m.).

CNN
As noted in the 9/11 Commission Report, eight people who played small but significant roles that day are the subject of "Footnotes of 9/11" (Sept. 6, 11 p.m.). Medical expert Sanjay Gupta reports on the health conditions affecting Ground Zero responders in "Terror in the Dust" (Sept. 7, 11 p.m.) and Soledad O'Brien focuses on female rescue workers in "Beyond Bravery: The Women of 9/11" (Sept. 8, 11 p.m.). "Beyond 9/11: Portraits of Resilience" interweaves photographs and interviews with officials, survivors and first responders (Sept. 9, 11 p.m.).

USA
Oscar winner Melissa Leo (above) plays a flight attendant reluctantly charged with the care of an unaccompanied Pakistani-American boy after they're grounded en route from New York to L.A. on the morning of 9/11 in "The Space Between," airing commercial-free on Sept. 11 (9 p.m.), followed by the Oscar-winning short documentary "Twin Towers," which follows an elite NYPD rescue unit that was to be the subject of a reality series before fate intervened, claiming many of the members' lives.

BIO CHANNEL
"When Pop Culture Saved America" explains how entertainers buoyed and helped heal the nation in the aftermath of 9/11 (Sept. 5, 8 p.m.). "I Survived 9/11" interviews those who escaped death that day (Sept. 6, 8 p.m.) and "Beyond: Messages From 9/11" profiles people who claim to have received messages from deceased loved ones (Sept. 10, 10 p.m.).

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
In "Freedom Rising with Shepard Smith," the anchor focuses on the rebuilding of Ground Zero and the people making it happen (Sept. 2, 9 p.m.). The channel presents all-day coverage of the anniversary on Sept. 11 starting with a two-hour program at 8 a.m. EDT, simulcast on Fox.

MSNBC
Richard Engel and Rachel Maddow report on the decade since 9/11 in "Day of Destruction — Decade of War" (Sept. 1, 9 p.m., repeating Sept. 9, 10, 11). "On Native Soil" focuses on the 9/11 Commissions report (Sept. 10, 3 p.m.; Sept 11, 9 p.m.) and "9/11: In Our Own Words" blends footage and commentary from the reporters that covered the events of the day (Sept. 11, 8 p.m.).

CNBC
A special edition of "American Greed" entitled "9/11 Fraud" focuses on those who seek to illegally profit from tragedy (Sept. 7, 9 p.m.) and on Sept. 10 "The Suze Orman Show" discusses the money lessons of 9/11 (9 p.m., 12 a.m.).


http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/remembering-911-a-guide-to-the-10th-anniversary-on-tv

California to New York - Firefighters Cycle to 9/11 Anniversary

Kent native Adam Loeser, left, now a firefighter in California, is part of the "Ride for 9-11" group of firefighters who are cycling cross-country to New York City to honor the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Ten firefighters are riding from the southern California area to honor the 343 firefighters killed in the attacks at Ground Zero. The riders left July 24 and plan to arrive in New York City on Sept. 9 — with stops along the way across the country, including in Loeser's hometown of Kent, OH. Courtesy Adam Loeser Photos (1)
Among the firefighters riding 3,300 miles cross country under the "Ride for 9-11" banner is 1992 Theodore Roosevelt High School graduate Adam Loeser, who has been coordinating his hometown stop with Kent firefighter Brock Murphy.

"They were originally talking about staying in Akron, but since Adam is a Roosevelt grad from Kent he was instrumental in getting them to stay the night in Kent," Murphy said. "So we talked to our fire chief, and he OK’d us to have them spend the night at the station.”

Loeser, who now works as a firefighter at station one in Fullerton, CA, said six of the firefighters are on the road full-time. He rode the first 500 miles the first week and will join the team to ride the last 1,100 miles into New York City.

"The biggest point … is just that it’s a group of firefighters that are honoring the 343 firefighters that died during 9-11, and to remember the people that have supported us and kind of taken up the torch of service personnel that are around the world and protect us on a day-to-day basis," Loeser said. "I’m excited that we’re able to go through Kent."

Loeser said two firefighters in Los Angeles County came up with the idea to ride to Ground Zero in New York a few years ago to honor the firefighters killed in the attacks. He joined the ride to represent firefighters from Orange County and south of Los Angeles County.

A support team is driving along — at a slow crawl — in a motorhome behind the cyclists, and a two-man film crew is shooting the trip for a documentary. All 10 riders from the southern California area serve as financiers, ride organizers, marketers, cooks, drivers and bicycle mechanics.

"It was a lot of different hats that all 10 of us have had to wear to learn a little bit about how to make the whole ride work," Loeser said. "It’s working great. It’s been well received in every city and town that we’ve gone through."

The riders hit St. Louis, MO, Monday. Days earlier they were greeted by firefighters in Oklahoma City, OK.

Loeser will join the group either in Indiana or Toledo. They will then ride into Akron before traveling through Cuyahoga Falls and Stow on their way into Kent. The route can be traced here.

Murphy said they plan to have a police and fire escort guide the riders from the Stow-Kent border east on S.R. 59 to downtown Kent, where the Kent Jaycees will welcome the riders with a meal in Home Savings Plaza. Information on their stop in Kent is available here.

Murphy said he encourages Kent-area residents to line the route and cheer on the firefighters as they ride into Kent next Tuesday. They're expected to arrive in Kent between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 30.

"It’s hard to say that far out," Murphy said.

They will leave Kent for Pittsburgh the next day.

The riders left California July 24 with the goal of hitting New York in 45 days with stops in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., along the way. They plan to arrive in New York City on Sept. 9 and finish the ride at the FDNY Firefighters Wall.

The ride is raising money for The Leary Firefighters Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Loeser, a long-time athlete, said the riders trained on 100-mile marathon rides for the memorial trip. One of the toughest parts was stringing together 100-mile bike rides day after day.

But he said it's not about the length of the trip, the lightning, hail storms and other obstacles the riders have run across.

"It's not so much about me or the individual guys," he said. "It's just a group of guys who are trying to make a little bit of a difference."

http://kent.patch.com/articles/911-tribute-ride-will-bring-firefighters-through-kent

Al-Qaeda down but not out

By David Ignatius, Published: August 23
Government officials refer to it blandly as the “SSE,” or Sensitive Site Exploitation. That’s their oblique term for the extraordinary cache of evidence that was carried away from Osama bin Laden’s compound the night the al-Qaeda leader was killed.

With the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks a few weeks away, it’s possible to use this evidence to sketch a vivid portrait of al-Qaeda, drawing on material contained in more than 100 computer storage devices, including thumb drives, DVDs and CDs, and more than a dozen computers or hard drives — all collected during the May 2 raid.

U.S. officials say three strong themes emerge from their reading of the files, most of which were communications between bin Laden and his top deputy Atiyah Abd al-Rahman. Indeed, because the Libyan-born Atiyah (who’s known to analysts by his first name) was the boss’s key link with the outside, officials see him as more important than bin Laden’s nominal successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Here are the highlights:

●Bin Laden retained until his death a passion to launch a significant attack against the United States, ideally linked to the 10th anniversary of 9/11. He and Atiyah communicated often about who might carry out such a strike, with Atiyah proposing names and bin Laden rejecting them. Bin Laden was still looking for a history-changing attack on big, economically important targets — one that would match, if not outdo, the impact of 9/11. Zawahiri, by contrast, favored an opportunistic strategy of smaller strikes.

●Bin Laden was a hands-on chief executive, with a role in operations planning and personnel decisions, rather than the detached senior leader that U.S. analysts had hypothesized. Zawahiri, whom the analysts had imagined as the day-to-day leader, was actually quite isolated — and remains so, despite a dozen communications this year. Zawahiri suffers from mistrust between his Egyptian faction of al-Qaeda and other operatives, such as Atiyah.

●Bin Laden was suffering badly from drone attacks on al-Qaeda’s base in the tribal areas of Pakistan. He called this the “intelligence war,” and said it was “the only weapon that’s hurting us.” His cadres complained that they couldn’t train in the tribal areas, couldn’t communicate, couldn’t travel easily and couldn’t draw new recruits to what amounted to a free-fire zone. Bin Laden discussed moving al-Qaeda’s base to another location, but he never took action.

Analysts did not find in the material any smoking gun to suggest Pakistani government complicity in bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad. And it’s clear he was paranoid about being found and killed: He ordered his subordinates to restrict movements to help preserve what remained of al-Qaeda in Pakistan. Fear of being discovered was a subject of regular conversation between bin Laden, Atiyah, Zawahiri and others.

Bin Laden also worried that al-
Qaeda’s status among Muslims was dwindling, and that the West had at least partially succeeded in distancing al-Qaeda’s message from core Islamic values. Concerned about this eroding base, bin Laden counseled affiliates in North Africa and Yemen to hold back on their efforts to develop a local Islamic extremist state in favor of attacking the United States and its interests.

This fear that al-Qaeda’s extreme tactics were burning too hot and alienating Muslims was also the theme of a remarkable message that Atiyah sent in 2005 to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the murderous chief of al-Qaeda in Iraq. In this document, made public five years ago by the United States, Atiyah warned that fomenting Sunni-Shiite violence (which was Zarqawi’s trademark) was potentially ruinous.

The al-Qaeda that emerges from these documents is a badly battered and disoriented group. The June 3 death of Ilyas Kashmiri in a drone attack illustrates the organization’s continuing vulnerability. Kashmiri was a ruthless operator who planned the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people and was plotting deadly attacks on Europe last winter that were stopped only because of aggressive counterterrorism work. (Security services from Europe and Turkey arrested about 20 of Kashmiri’s operatives before they could carry out the attacks.)

When top U.S. officials summarize their view of al-Qaeda now, in the run-up to the 9/11 anniversary, they describe an organization that is down but certainly not out. They don’t know of any specific plots targeting the United States, 10 years on. But they’re looking, pulsing every channel they know. They recognize that it’s what we still don’t know about al-Qaeda that’s most dangerous.

davidignatius@washpost.com

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/10-years-after-911-al-qaeda-is-down-but-not-out/2011/08/23/gIQARQ3tZJ_story.html

2,500 Motorcycles Commemorate 9/11

The 10th annual ride, organized by America’s 911 Foundation Inc., began Thursday in Shanksville, Pa., and went past the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Friday. The riders are set to reach their destination at Ground Zero in Manhattan on Sunday morning — touching all three sites where planes crashed on Sept. 11, 2001.
The ride is tentatively scheduled to enter New Jersey from the Delaware Memorial Bridge shortly before 2 p.m. and arrive in the southern part of Middlesex County via Route 130 by mid-afternoon.
The ride will pass by Cranbury, South Brunswick and North Brunswick on Route 130 North before accessing Route 1 North. It will pass by New Brunswick, Highland Park, Edison, Woodbridge and Rahway before arriving in Linden about 4:30 to 5 p.m.
Police from several Central Jersey towns affected by the ride said their departments plan to have officers help with the traffic situation, which will require numerous intersections to be blocked off as the procession passes.
The ride also has its own official police escorts, who are conducting their own continual, rolling block-offs of intersections.
“We expect them to come here (in Woodbridge) between 3:30 and 4 p.m., and they said they would call our front desk and give us like a 15-minute heads-up,” Woodbridge Police Capt. Roy Hoppock said. “But that’s tentative. Anything could happen and they could be delayed. It’s not a big operation for us. We plan to have as many auxiliary officers out there as we can to monitor it until they get through.”
Linden Sgt. Don Geisheimer said Linden police will temporarily block off intersections along Route 1 as the motorcyclists arrive and travel into the parking lot at Aviation Plaza along Route 1 North, where there will be refreshments and a ceremony at the Applebee’s restaurant. Police also will close intersections as the caravan of riders leaves the city along Route 1, heading toward Elizabeth.
Geisheimer said the motorcycle run is well-organized, and the temporary closing of intersections shouldn’t be a major issue. While the riders are in the Aviation Plaza parking lot, he said, the intersections will be open.
“Local roads won’t be affected,” said Geisheimer who anticipates that it will take about 15 minutes to get all the riders into the lot, which will be closed off by the Applebee’s.
“It won’t be that long,” said Geisheimer, adding that the riders will travel at the 40 mph speed limit.
Rob Brining, 55, of Burlington is one of the volunteer road captains riding in the Sept. 11 event. It’s his sixth. “This is the biggest turnout we’ve had,” he said

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110820/NJNEWS/308190031/9-11-motorcycle-ride-hits-Central-Jersey-today.

.MSNBC Announces 9/11 Anniversary Coverage Plans

On Thursday, September 1st at 9:00 PM/ET, MSNBC will debut 'Day of Destruction - Decade of War.'

The documentary draws from the unparalleled field experience of NBC News’ Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel and the distinct analysis and insight of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow to take a broad look at the decade since September 11, 2001. The report explores how America responded to the attacks and how the country has changed. “Day of Destruction: Decade of War” will re-air in its entirety on September 9th, 10th and 11th. Produced by Peacock Productions.

Premiering on Saturday, September 10th at 3:00 PM/ET and re-airing on Sunday, September 11th at 9:00 PM/ET, MSNBC presents the riveting story of the 9/11 Commission hearings with “On Native Soil.”

"On Native Soil" captures the content of the 9/11 Commission's report while exposing new details, including interviews with witnesses who testified for the Commission behind closed doors. It is the story of a loose collection of ordinary Americans - united by their single-minded passion for answers - who challenged a bureaucracy and triumphed. “On Native Soil” is narrated by Kevin Costner and Hilary Swank.

On Sunday, September 11th from 8:00–11:00 AM/ET, MSNBC will simulcast the NBC special.

Later that evening on Sunday, September 11 at 8:00 PM/ET, “9/11: In Our Own Words” will air on MSNBC. In this unique documentary, NBC News anchors and correspondents recall their personal memories of reporting live the morning of September 11, 2001. Weaving together the live footage of that morning with present-day interviews, the special covers the first several hours of reporting as the terrorist attacks on America unfolded.

From Matt Lauer and Tom Brokaw in the NBC News studios in New York, to David Gregory with President Bush, Jim Miklaszewski at the Pentagon and Andrea Mitchell at the Washington Bureau – the NBC News team relives the developments and emotions of that fateful day. “9/11: In Our Own Words ” is an MSNBC original production and was produced for MSNBC by Peacock Productions.

http://www.newsonnews.net/msnbc/11181-msnbc-announces-9-11-anniversary-coverage-plans.html

FDNY Fire Fighters Release 9/11 Tribute Album fo Anniversary

As we prepare to mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, three veteran New York firefighters have released a moving tribute album -- Beyond The Call: A Musical Tribute to Courage, Honor & Sacrifice.

NYC firefighters Frank Pizarro and Regina Wilson -- both of whom were all the front lines that fateful day on September 11, 2001 -- joined forces with a friend, fellow firefighter Billy Arce, to create the musical group, Beyond The Call.

To mark the anniversary of the worst ever terrorist attack on U.S. soil, the three -- all of whom are accomplished singers -- decided to raise their voices in order to raise money to help those who keep our safe country, be it firefighters, military or first responders -- and their families.

New York Yankees legend-turned-musician Bernie Williams heard about the project and volunteered to play guitar for one of the songs on the CD -- Hallelujah.

RadarOnline.com had the honor of talking with Frank and Regina about their searing memories http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/08/new-york-firefighters-release-tribute-album-mark-911-anniversary

First Responders Not Invited To 9/11 Anniversary Ground Zero Ceremony

First responders who were called to the World Trade Center site in the days and weeks following 9/11 will reportedly be on the outside looking in at next month's anniversary ceremony.

According to the Daily News, police officers, firefighters and rescue workers will not be invited to take part in the primary 10th anniversary ceremony activities.

Instead, they will be asked back at the site another day for a separate ceremony.

The News cites security and a lack of room as the reason of the decision.

The presence of President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush will create mounting security concerns.

Thousands of family members will also be on hand.

It's estimated as many as 91,000 people took part in the initial search and rescue at the World Trader Center site.

http://www.ny1.com/content/special_reports/911_a_decade_later/144997/report--first-responders-not-invited-to-9-11-anniversary-ceremony

“Ride of Valor” Launched to Honor Heroes of Flight 93

Shanksville, PA (PRWEB) August 11, 2011

“Ride of Valor”, a first-ever national effort to honor the 40 Heroes of Flight 93 through a series of community based motorcycle rides across the nation that also includes a unique opportunity to ride virtually online, has been formally launched with registration now available for all categories of participation at RideofValor.com.

Ride of Valor provides an opportunity for individuals to honor the heroism and sacrifice of the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93, who stopped a planned attack by terrorists on Washington, D.C., and most likely the U.S. Capitol building saving thousands of lives.

All Ride of Valor activities take place this Summer and Fall, on occasion of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Proceeds from Ride of Valor benefit completion of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the National Park Foundation. First phase of the Memorial will be dedicated on September 10th.

“Anyone can be a part of Ride of Valor,” said Debby Borza, a principal Ride of Valor organizer and Mother of Flight 93 passenger Deora Bodley.

Motorcycle clubs, organizations, retail shops or any business can host a Ride of Valor for their community or area. Ride of Valor’s coordination team also supplies all materials and support required. “It’s truly easy, and we’re there to help every step of the way,” Borza added.

Ride of Valor also features a unique opportunity for those who don’t own a motorcycle or can’t participate in a ride, to ride from the comfort of their own home as ‘Spirit Riders’ for as little as $10, as
well as at symbolic levels of $40 and $93.

Hosts of rides also can make Ride of Valor a theme of any currently scheduled ride or event in their area. Organizers have encouraged local Ride of Valor hosts to partner with local civic and fraternal groups. Creating a Ride of Valor for a particular day, organizers say, provides maximum flexibility based on three types of rides:

Valor and Honor Ride: 40 riders (or valor bearers) wearing Vests of Valor, each displaying the name and image of a Flight 93 hero. Additional riders may display the official Flight 93 commemorative flag.

Honor Ride: Riders display Flight 93 flags.

Remembrance Ride: Riders don’t display Ride of Valor vests or the Flight 93 flag.



Ride of Valor also announced a “Motorcycle Club Challenge” that offers multiple prizes to be awarded that include recruitment of the most ‘Spirit Riders’ among its members, their families and friends.

All information related to Ride of Valor hosting and registration is available at http://www.RideofValor.com. On the website are tools and guidance for individuals creating Rides of Valor, as hosts, as well as means to initiate and track registrations in all categories, including as online “Spirit Riders.”

The story of the 40 heroes of Flight 93, as well as the planning for and progress of the Flight 93 National Memorial, may also be found through the Ride of Valor’s website. More information is also available at 855-ROV-INFO (855-768-4636); option 1 for general information, or via email at: info(at)rideofvalor(dot)com.

“New York Remembers” Exhibits in state to mark 9/11 anniversary

ALBANY — Artifacts from the ground zero terrorist attack and expressions of grief that followed will be on display from Aug. 29 through the end of September in 30 cities across the state, including four in Western New York, as part of New York’s 10th anniversary remembrances of 9/11, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday.

Many of the items included in “New York Remembers” come from the State Museum and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

In addition to an exhibit at State Museum and Empire State Plaza in Albany, there will be displays at the Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College, Conference Center Niagara Falls, Batavia City Hall and the Jamestown Municipal Building.

Cuomo urged all New Yorkers to visit the sites. All will be open Sunday, Sept. 11.

“Every community across New York felt the impact of the senseless acts of terrorism that claimed thousands of lives just one decade ago,” Cuomo said. “These exhibitions will give New Yorkers in towns, villages and cities all across the state a gathering place to once again stand as one community to make sure we never forget those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 and to embrace the spirit of unity that brought us together on that day of devastating tragedy.”

Many of the artifacts being exhibited have never been seen by the public. They include the trailer used by families visiting ground zero that includes photographs and messages; damaged emergency vehicles and other vehicle parts;

aluminum and glass from the buildings; religious “symbol steel” created by the workers at the site; and fragments of the airplanes that struck the twin towers, including landing gear and engine parts. The stories behind all the artifacts will be told as part of the exhibitions.

The statewide exhibit won’t have displays in New York City, but national events are scheduled there, and the New York Historical Society plans displays.

“In advance of the 9/11 Memorial Museum opening in 2012, we’re proud to have this opportunity to display some of our treasured artifacts across New York State,” said Alice M. Greenwald, director of the National September 11 Memorial &Museum.

“Authentic objects are crucial to understanding the story of 9/11, from the profound loss to the extraordinary heroism and depths of compassion,” she added. “These exhibits will be an important learning opportunity for people of all ages and a fitting tribute to the many who perished at the World Trade Center on that terrible morning 10 years ago.”

email: citydesk@buffnews.comnull

Spielberg Mini Series: Rebuilding Ground Zero to air Aug. 25

Discovery has set an Aug. 25 premiere date for its Steven Spielberg-executive produced miniseries Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero.The two-week television event will air commercial free starting at 8 p.m.

The miniseries will showcase the men and women determined to rebuild and restore the site of the World Trade Center and construction the new 104-story One World Trade Center.

The six-hour special will conclude Sept. 1 and run as a daylong marathon on Science Channel on Sunday, Sept. 11, starting at 5 p.m. to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Obama to visit three attack sites on 9/11 anniversary

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will attend anniversary ceremonies on September 11 at the three sites where terrorists launched their deadly US attacks a decade ago, the White House said Tuesday.

"On September 11, 2011, the president and Mrs. Obama will join with the rest of the American people in marking the 10th anniversary of a day that we will never forget," spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.

"The president will participate in commemorations at each of the three locations where we lost so many loved ones: in lower Manhattan, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last week that the annual event at the "Ground Zero" site, where the World Trade Center once stood, will be attended by Obama's predecessor George W. Bush, who was president at the time of the worst terror attacks in US history.

Bush had passed up the opportunity to join Obama at Ground Zero in May in the days after US special forces killed terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.

The September event in New York will coincide with the unveiling of a memorial plaza including reflecting pools on the footprints of the destroyed Twin Towers.

Throughout the day, Obama "will pay tribute to those we lost, honor the Americans who responded on that day and who served in harm's way over the last decade," Carney said.

"He will underscore the strength, resilience and unity of the American people."

The day before the anniversary, on September 10, Vice President Joe Biden will attend the dedication of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Carney said.

That is the site where a United Airlines jet crashed into a field after heroic passengers and crew tried to overpower hijackers once they learned a terror attack was in progress.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

Ground Zero Cross to be permanent artifact at 9/11 Museum

One of those artifacts, a cross-shaped steel beam found amid the rubble, has stirred controversy in recent days. American Atheists, a nonprofit group, filed a lawsuit arguing that the cross, which became a symbol of hope to many in the days after the attacks, violated the Constitution because it is a religious symbol and the museum is partly financed by the government.

Mr. Bloomberg, asked about the lawsuit, defended the cross, saying it was a part of history.

“In a museum you want to show things that impacted people’s behavior back then, even if you don’t think it was right,” he said. “Museums are for history.”

He noted that other religious artifacts would be displayed, including a Star of David cut from the steel of the towers, a Jewish prayer shawl and a Bible.

“A lot of people looked to religion for strength after the attack,” he said. “You shouldn’t tell people what religion to practice or whether to practice a religion, but you also shouldn’t prevent people from practicing any religion they want in any ways they want.”

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PBS Announces Plans for 9/11 Anniversary

PBS has announced plans to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with a mixture of new programs and repeats. The schedule, starting in the week leading up to the anniversary, is to include “America Remembers — 9/11,” a “PBS NewsHour” presentation exploring the lasting effects that the terrorist attacks have had across the United States; the New York Philharmonic 10th Anniversary Concert for 9/11, conducted by Alan Gilbert and taped the day before; and “Engineering Ground Zero,” about the construction of One World Trade Center, including interviews with the architect David Childs and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Frontline” will also contribute new programs and presentations of previous documentaries focusing on the response to the attacks. PBS.org will supplement the television shows with full-episode streaming.

Angola gets ready for 9/11 beam, 15,000 motorcycles

ANGOLA, Ind. (WANE) - Over 15,000 motorcyclists are expected to gather in Angola on July 1 as a memorial beam from the World Trade Center travels through the area.

An Angola Fire Department spokesman said the 8-foot beam will be at the old Scott's parking lot from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All county public safety agencies have been invited to have a unit on display.

The following day, Saturday, July 2, beginning at 6:30 a.m., bikers will gather at the old Scott’s parking lot to get ready to escort the beam to its next stop in Elkhart.

When the group leaves Angola at at 10:28 a.m., the motorcyclists will go up State Road 127 to State Road 120 and then west on 120 through Orland. Police officers will block the intersections that have stop lights and stop signs so the line of bikes will be a continuous

Extraordinary pictures of 9/11 relics revealed as they are shipped across world for tenth anniversary memorials

Draped in American flags and handled with reverence, these are the relics pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center.
They have been stored in Hangar 17 at John F. Kennedy Airport since the recovery operation was completed, and are now being shipped across the world for towns and cities to construct memorials in time for the tenth anniversary of 9/11.
Firefighters from across the U.S. are making a pilgrimage to New York to collect the relics, which were today revealed in a set of extraordinary images.

The photographs of twisted heavy steel, tattered uniforms and even a smashed-up fire truck reveal with terrible poignancy the full devastation of the terrorist attacks.
Organised by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the World Trade Center steel program aims to distribute the relics to firehouses and museums across America.
Some will go even further afield, with tags showing they are destined for memorials as far away as the UK and China.
Bill Baroni, the Port Authority's deputy executive director, told the Boston Herald: 'This is a sacred mission for this agency - to not only rebuild the World Trade Center site, but also make sure that at memorials to 9/11 all across the country, people would be able to, whether in Bergen County, New Jersey, or St. Louis, Missouri ... see what happened that day.

FULL STORY WITH MORE PHOTOS HEREhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2004961/9-11-relics-shipped-world-10th-anniversary-memorials.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Giant 9/11 commemorative flag to fly in Portland

PORTLAND — A giant American flag will be in Portland Thursday, part of a 50-state tour before it is displayed in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa., as part of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.



Local firefighters and police will raise the 30-foot by 57-foot flag at 2 p.m., hoisting it between two fire department aerial ladders at the Preble Street Extension parking lot, and lower it at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and sign the logbook at the Back Cove event.


http://www.pressherald.com/news/maine-portland-911-flag.html

9-11 Memorial takes shape as the clock ticks down

NEW YORK — It’s close to two months to go and counting down.

Construction at the World Trade Center site is at a frenzied, round the clock pace that could be best described as controlled chaos. But it is chaos with a purpose and a very public deadline, which Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials pledge they will meet.
The site will be the focus of world wide attention, along with Pennsylvania and Virginia, on Sept. 11 for the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Port Authority Deputy Director Bill Baroni knows this and sounds almost like British prime minster Winston Churchill during World War II in his resolve. During a tour of the massive construction site Monday, he repeats it like a mantra, talking about the focus, the challenge and the mission, to have the Memorial Plaza completed for the tenth anniversary of the day that changed the world.
“We will hit that deadline,” Baroni said as the sound of construction clattered around him. “It is the sacred mission of this agency.”


http://www.app.com/article/20110620/NJNEWS/306200082/9-11-Memorial-takes-shape-as-the-clock-ticks-down

Military Channel Pays Tribute to U.S. Troops and Elite Forces With the 2011 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PA

On the heels of a national victory in the war against terrorism and in honor of the approaching 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Military Channel joins nearly 300,000 Americans as they rally behind our troops at the American Veterans Center's 2011 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE in Washington, DC. During the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden, countless servicemen and -women made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and this year, thanks to the heroic actions of the Navy SEALs and other elite military forces, we focus more than ever on the true meaning of Memorial Day: honoring those who have fought bravely in defense of America's freedom and that of people around the world. THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE will air live on Monday, May 30 from 2-4 PM ET on the Military Channel.

"In a day and age when more and more of small town America opts to cancel local festivities, THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE remains not only the country's largest Memorial Day celebration, but a beacon of patriotic spirit reminding us that this day holds real significance for the men and women it intends to honor," said James C. Roberts, president of the American Veterans Center, the non-profit educational organization that founded the parade and is dedicated year-round to preserving and promoting the legacy of America's troops.

"It has never been more crucial for us to pause and thank veterans and active duty service members who have fought to preserve every American's liberties. Military Channel's live coverage of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE provides a new opportunity for America to recognize its greatest heroes and memorialize those who have fallen in service to their country," said Henry Schleiff, president and general manager, Military Channel and Investigation Discovery.

As America approaches the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001, THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE will devote a very special segment to remembering the heroes of that day. The parade will also include a tribute to the Special Operations tactical teams that are currently leading the fight in Afghanistan, a commemoration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation, and recognitions of the 70th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War II and the 20th anniversary of the Gulf War. Special guests will include musical performers, celebrity veterans and supporters of the military, including Pat Sajak, Gary Sinise, Buzz Aldrin, and Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan. Hosts Major Garrett, Leeann Tweeden and Alyse Zwickwill call the action of THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE for Military Channel's viewers. Additionally school marching bands from across the country and military bands will provide patriotic music throughout the parade as they march through the streets of our nation's capital.

For more than 70 years, our nation's capital was without a parade on the Armed Services' most sacred day. In 2005, the American Veterans Center brought this tradition back to Washington by creating THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE. For additional information, please visit www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com.