A Day of Solemn Remembrance

Well, Sunday, September 11th, came and went.  The day was filled with so many moments and emotions that I've had a difficult time sorting out all that happened. 

The one thing I have come away with though is the incredible community spirit that abounds here in Oswego. Countless people helped the 9/11 Empty Shoe Memorial not only become a reality, but ultimately a success.  They also did exactly what I had hoped for...provided a place for reflection and healing. 

The thing I didn't plan on, and could never have imagined, was the incredible turnout that actually took place.  Several thousand people actually came to witness the memorials along Washington Street and in Hudson Park.  The weather?  Well, I had said during the week that I was going to leave that in God's hands, and if He wanted there to be a memorial, He would provide the weather for one.  He gave me my answer in a beautiful, balmy, day. 

I saw many people wipe away tears throughout the day.  There were many who held hands or put their arms around each other as they walked the memorial paths of shoes and plaques.  There were several plaques that were adorned with a rose or bouquet of flowers. 

Other plaques had words of remembrance written on them by a fellow firefighter.  There was such a quiet reverence and everyone commented on the incredible emotion of seeing all of those shoes.  I can attest to that because as I walked out onto the sidewalk that morning at about 6 a.m., I was caught off guard as a flood of tears poured forth. 

I was completely unprepared for the magnitude of thousands of empty shoes touching one another...that's right, actually touching one another, up and down the sidewalks, block after block, as far as the eye could see.

One of my friends related a story to me of a young man who stopped his car at the light, got out, removed his shoes and placed them carefully into the memorial.  He then drove away barefooted!  What an incredible testament to the depth of emotions that day.

The sense of community, love and safety that I felt continued to grow throughout the day as we began preparations for the reading of the names by Church of the Good Shepherd.  About thirty members each from the OHS band and choir were setting up for their performance of patriotic music which preceded the reading of the names. 

It was a moving site to see dozens of visitors begin assembling on the curb and grass across from the church.  Those young people and their directors brought us a gift of beauty that day as they played and sang patriotic music we all love and respond to.

As the ceremony for the Reading of the Names began, I was honored to introduce Mr. Dwayne Collman, father of Jeffrey Collman, a flight attendant on AA Flight 11.  His wife, Kay, sat quietly as he told us what a fine son Jeffrey was and how he loved to fly.  When he finished, Mrs. Collman released red, white and blue balloons in Jeffrey's honor.

I was struck by the beauty of this simple tribute to a son now gone, and sat there thinking that this said more than any star-studded event that could have been planned.  Indeed, this was real, solid, American patriotism at its best.  I and many others were a part of something beautiful that day. 

For over two hours the names of each victim were read.  I had to admit, I choked up when I read the name of a father and his two young daughters and it was difficult to gain my composure.

The beautiful day wound down and when it came time to close the memorials, hordes of OHS students showed up to complete this task, and in quick order everything had been brought back to my garage.  One of the greatest gifts of the day were the young people of our community and several others who came to offer their help.  

I loved seeing them filling their plates and eating dinner after they had completed their work.  Every one of those young people made me proud of this community, and to each of their parents I have to say you have done an amazing job of raising these caring young adults.  You have every reason to be proud, and I only wish that every person in our community could have been there on Sunday.

There are so many people to thank that I simply don't know where to begin, but let me try (and if I omit anyone, please accept my sincere apologies as it is unintentional).  To Castle Bank, Oswego Community Bank, YMCA, Prairie Point, Village Grind, Ledger/Sentinel, Curves/Yorkville, Farmers Insurance/Ken Boncela, Saavy Fashions, Maurices, thank you for being collection centers for the shoes. 

For donations of money, materials and food thank you to: Castle Bank/Oswego, Acorn Appraisal, Mr. & Mrs. Dwayne Collman, Country Company, Farmers Insurance/K.Boncela, Sharon Wheeler, Lynn Woods, Gail & Dave Todd, Mary Block, Micky Cullen, Valerie Dennen, Rick Saunders, Robin Frisch, Behavioral Health, Home Depot, Lowes, Jewel Foods, Rosati's Pizza, Jimmy Johns, Dunkin Donut, Starbucks, Jake's Bagels, Maryhelen Wright, Bill Black, Floral Expressions  and Jacobsen's Lawn Service. 

To all of those at River Heights Veterinary Clinic who called attention to Sirius, the only K9 to die in 9/11, thanks for the beautiful collar you donated and the laminated plaque.  Many were moved by his story. 

Thanks to the Church of the Good Shepherd for supplying us with the venue for the Reading of the Names, and for loaning us chairs, tables and all the other things needed for this event.

To Bud Bieber for supplying the sound equipment - thanks Bud! 

To the Park District, Village Hall, Oswego Fire Department and Oswego Police Department, thank you for offering any assistance I asked for to make this day for our community such a success.

Thank you State Rep. Tom Cross, Village President, Brian LeClercq and Chief of Police, Dwight Baird for opening the Memorials and offering your perspectives on what 9/11 and where our country has come since then. 

For the beautiful presentation by Oswego Fire Department and Police Department Honor Guards....you made the day a moving experience by posting the colors. 

Many area schools pitched in with shoe drives which garnered thousands of pairs of shoes.  We actually ended up with a conservative estimate of 5,000 pairs (no I don't have any left....they've been donated!).  To Oswego High School, Traughber Jr. High, Thompson Jr. High, Bednarcik Jr. High, Somonauk Middle School, you have my deepest appreciation.

A special thank you to Fox Chase Elementary School who displayed a wonderful Pinwheels for Peace project which was made by many of their students.  What an outpouring of gifts from these young people.

Of course I had a core contingent of volunteers who kept the entire day going smoothly and so to some of my dearest friends I say thank you:  Elin Rezek, Karen Noggle, Nancy Mitchell, Penny Glassman, and Kristen Phillips.

Readers of the Names:  Gail Johnson, Robin Frisch, Judy Sollinger, Rev. Bob Reid, Janis Reid, Karen Noggle, Elin Rezek, Dwayne Collman, State Rep. Kay Hatcher, Donna Monti, Ken Boncela.....thank you.

I am so very, very, proud to call Oswego "my" hometown.  You are the most wonderful, caring people I know.  Although there are times when many don't agree on particular issues, this was a time when we could all agree on the importance of honoring and remembering the victims of 9/11. 

Your visits to the memorial, your letters of thanks, your encouragement and support of my "vision", helped our town achieve something incredible.  Anyone who watched the news Sunday evening could see our story on four different Chicagoland television channels.  To the many media outlets who  publicized our community's important event, especially the Ledger/Sentinel, thank you for a job well done. 

Finally, I hope this shows all of us something important...we can achieve anything we put our minds to.  It took one person to have an idea, but it took many hands and hearts to nurture and make that idea grow into something we'll never forget.  Thousand of people proved. that. 

Let this be an encouragement to many to look for other opportunities of service and caring, whether it be large of small.  Every good deed makes a difference in someone's life. Everyone made a difference on Sunday. Congratulations on a job well done! 

Thank you Patch Editor, Steven Jack, for the wonderful coverage and for the moving video and photo slideshow you posted so quickly after this phenomenal event! 

As I continue my "52 Week Challenge to Patriotism" there will be many ideas and opportunities for discovering ways in which to be of service to community and country, and I'm sure by now, you know that I'll be thinking of my next project very soon. As those regular readers of my blog know, I'll sign off by saying.......

Have an inspired and patriotic week!