9/11 Remembered
On September 11, 2001, The Salvation Army was the first relief agency to reach Ground Zero. They were on the ground in New York 45 minutes after the first plane struck the World Trade Center, and remained there until June 23, 2002.
As the world was coming to grips with what was unfolding, planes flying within or headed to North America were grounded, stranding tens of thousands of unsuspecting passengers at the nearest locations their planes could land. Thousands arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Salvation Army was tasked with assisting the inadvertent tourists until air traffic resumed a couple of days later.
Meanwhile on the ground in New York the Army provided food, hydration, supplies, grief counselling, financial assistance, referrals, and more, to hundreds of thousands of emergency workers, families of victims, and others impacted by the terrorist attacks.
With resources strained to the limit, incredible support from the Canadian branches of the Army was vital to the relief efforts in New York.
By the time recovery efforts ended nine months later the Army had served more than 3 million meals at Ground Zero and other relief sites, utilizing the efforts of more than 7,000 Salvation Army officers/pastors and staff and more than 32,000 volunteers, representing a total of almost a million volunteer hours.
At the end of 2001, The Salvation Army created the World Trade Center Recovery Program, a long-term recovery program providing intensive case management to people who had lost family members, their homes and/or their jobs. This program lasted until the fall of 2006.
Family Support Centre
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, The Salvation Army New York will open its doors to provide a safe, private and welcoming space that will honor victims, heroes and promote hope in a community that continues to heal.
Members of the 9/11 community, not invited or unable to attend the national 9/11 10th anniversary ceremony near the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan, will have an alternative gathering place, courtesy of The Salvation Army Greater New York Division and the Mental Health Association of New York City.
Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2011, The Salvation Army, in partnership with MHA-NYC’s 9/11 Healing and Remembrance Program, will welcome survivors, displaced residents, first responders, and 9/11 volunteers from all agencies, as well as families of victims not attending the World Trade Center ceremony, to its 1,347-seat Centennial Memorial Temple on West 14th Street for a few hours of reflection in a safe, quiet and comfortable environment.
This “Family Support Centre” will feature live streaming of the entire national 9/11 memorial ceremony projected on multiple monitors including on a 20-foot-by-11-foot screen in HD in a press-free environment. Refreshments will be served and supportive services, including child care, mental-health services, and massage therapy, will be available to all who attend.
The Salvation Army location will be the only site featuring a live presentation of the national ceremony in a private theatre with these kinds of amenities.
“Due to space limitations and security, a sizable segment of the 9/11 community has never been included in the national annual memorial service,” said Lt-Colonel Guy D. Klemanski, of The Salvation Army Greater New York Division. “What we are providing is a quiet, relaxing alternative site where these people can come together as a community, receive support, and give support to each other on this solemn occasion.”
NOTE:
Gander, NF, a small town of 10,000 residents will be recognized in Washington, DC., for its response during 9/11. The Salvation Army’s Major Wade Budgell will represent the Army who played a key role in the efforts. Among other events, Major Budgell, the Mayor of Gander and a small delegation from the town will attend a gala event on Thursday, September 8, to receive a formal recognition.
