While NYC officials backpedal over 9/11 tribute, we’re going full steam ahead Nine Line News Team August 21, 2020 Articles+, Nine Line News, Relentlessly Patriotic 253 [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q0gnHoG1vI[/embedyt] Last week, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum announced it was canceling the customary blue light tribute to mark the 19th anniversary of the terror attack because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “The world’s beloved twin beams of light regrettably will not shine over Lower Manhattan as part of this year’s tributes,” Michael Frazier, a memorial and museum spokesman, said in a statement. “This incredibly difficult decision was reached in consultation with our partners after concluding the health risks during the pandemic was far too great for the large crew required to produce the annual Tribute in Light.” The large crew equals 40 stagehands and electricians. Outrage and criticism erupted almost immediately, particularly from police and firefighter unions. Two days later, the Memorial and Museum reversed course and said the display would go on after all. In a letter sent to its board members, the head of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum said the organization was wrong to cancel the annual Tribute in Light. “We could have, and should have, approached this issue differently,” 9/11 Memorial president and CEO Alice Greenwald wrote. Gosh, ya think?? The governor’s office along with Bloomberg Philanthropies will provide money to help cover the projected cost of about a half-million dollars. According to NY1, the tribute is staged with equipment and technicians from a company based in Italy. The company is working with the State Department to bring in the Italians in time to quarantine for 14 days before assembling the display. The Governor’s office will supply healthcare workers to assist in the health and safety plan for the workers at the site. Well, here at Nine Line we are once again planning our own 9-11 tribute which does not depend on government intervention or technicians from overseas. It does, however, depend on you. Every year, we create a special September 11th where 100 percent of the money raised goes directly to the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation, the NYC Police Benevolent Association’s Widows and Children’s Fund, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Last year we raised $80,000 to help those directly affected by the attacks or their families. This year we’re aiming to beat that. It bears noting that there’s an entire generation growing up whose only knowledge of the attack has come from textbooks and videos. But those of us who were alive, remember EXACTLY where we were on that day… None of us will ever forget this day. Yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world. We will never forget the victims, the police officers, the port authority officers, or the firefighters, who lost their lives that fateful day. We will continue to do everything we can for the memories of those we lost, their families, and the survivors. Please help us if you can.
