Remembering 9/11

What so proudly we hail

HIGHLAND LAKE, NY — This 20-foot-wide flag, originally flown in the World Trade Center district in New York City after the Twin Towers collapsed, is proudly displayed in front of Sand Beach. The huge flag was a gift to Sand Beach owners Pete and Cindy Finck, who received it earlier this year. The flag appeared as a symbol of patriotism and hope in New York City in the days following the tragedy of September 11, and will continue to carry its message here.

“The flag will be displayed in front of Sand Beach until a big enough flag pole can be purchased,” said owner Pete Finck.

For more information call 845/557-8757.

Prayer service

HONESDALE, PA — The Honesdale Area Ministerium will hold a prayer service observing the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 bombing of the World Trade Center at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, at St. John the Evangelist Church on Terrace Street. The event will be under the direction of Rev. Becky Sweet of Central United Methodist Church. Rev. Ryan Kraus of Bethany Presbyterian Church and Very Rev. Martin M. Boylan of St. John the Evangelist Church will participate with Fr. Boylan as speakers for the event. There will be congregational singing during the service.

The prayer service will focus on two important elements of our national and religious identity: hope and anguish. This service aims to reveal the anguish in our hearts and present it in a form of prayer. Participants will be invited to express their hopes for the future for themselves, their children and grandchildren and for our nation and the world.

Memorial service and packing for the troops

MONTICELLO, NY — Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT) will hold a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11 at the Monticello Fire Department on Richardson Avenue.

OSOT will also hold packing sessions for care packages for our troops from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10 at Monticello Elks Lodge on North Street.

Sullivan County residents are encouraged to start their own collections of needed items such as food and personal care items or writing equipment, to write letters of encouragement, or just to come help packing at the event. The group is also seeking monetary donations, which may be sent to Stephanie Johnson, 279 Cantrell Road, Monticello, NY 12701.

For more information email OSOT2004@AOL.COM or call 845/796 2339.

‘9/11 Remembrance’

HURLEYVILLE, NY — The Sullivan County Historical Society will hold a commemorative program, “9/11 Remembrance,” at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10. The program will feature the Callicoon Center Band, one of America’s oldest community bands and recently the subject of a feature article in The New York Times, which will play music of America throughout the ceremony. Sullivan County historian John Conway will give a talk, and the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop will present a series of dramatic readings. For more information, call 845/434-8044.

Photography exhibit

LIBERTY, NY — “Healing the Heart: Private Emotion/Public Expressions,” an exhibit of 9/11-related photography by Jonathan Hyman and Michael Pinciotti, continues at the Liberty Museum through September 23. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 845/292-2394.

Celebration of nonviolence

LIBERTY, NY — A celebration of nonviolence. poetry of peace, videos of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King and meditation will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11 at 71 North Main Street, part of a month-long series of peace events sponsored by Sullivan Peace and Justice and others. For more information, call 845/292-2279.

Memorial blood drive

MATAMORAS, PA — Pike United Way will hold its fourth annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive on Saturday, September 9 at the Delaware Valley Middle School Gym on Routes 6 and 209. The event, whose success in attracting donors has sometimes meant long lines in the past, will be streamlined this year, with a “one step, one stop” procedure. Volunteer donors will meet with one qualified professional who will collect all needed information at the same time and place. The process may also be speeded by making an appointment, which may be done by emailing uwpc@ptd.net or calling 888/306-6963.

Those who donate will receive a Day of Caring t-shirt and an American Red Cross t-shirt, and will be entered in a raffle. The Pike County Public Library will provide reading material, and local businesses will provide refreshments.

‘Meditate for Peace’

MONTICELLO, NY — There will be a “Meditate for Peace” gathering, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11 at the Literacy Center at 63 North Street, part of a month-long series of peace events sponsored by Sullivan Peace and Justice and others. For more information, call 845/434-8542 or 292-2279.