First Responders Not Among Those Invited To The Official 9/11 Memorial Event, So The Salvation Army Hosted The First Responders Healing and Remembrance Event On 20th Anniversary

(First Responders Not Permitted to Attend Official Memorial Events – Editor’s Note: This was verified at the Memorial site’s page, although its enforcement in prior years has been lax, and this year may have been lax as well)

Please check back tomorrow for photos and video of the event, which were kindly provided to us by the Salvation Army.  

WHO: First responders, interfaith organizations, and disaster relief, medical and mental health personnel from New York’s leading nonprofit and government groups, including American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and Tuesday’s Children; People affected by the tragic events of 9/11

9/11 Healing and Remembrance Event. Image Credit – Salvation Army

Key available/on-site human interest stories:

Major Silvia Machado, currently Manhattan Citadel Corps Officer, managed The Salvation Army’s canteen at the Morgue and accompanied New Jersey families who had lost loved ones to Ground Zero to mourn and see the recovery operations
Major Kevin Stoops, currently General Secretary of The Salvation Army Greater New York Division, served in Shanksville, PA

WHEN: Saturday, September 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHAT: Leading agencies and non-profit organizations from across New York will gather for a Healing & Remembrance event, which is open to all (proof of vaccination required). The event will give first responders and others impacted by the events of 9/11 2001 a chance to come together, commemorate, and mourn in a safe and supportive environment. This event is particularly important on the 20th anniversary as first responders are not permitted to attend the city’s official memorial events.

This service will include the reading of the names of those lost — a satellite feed from the Memorial event in lower Manhattan will be projected in the Theater, and a memorial will be created in front of the Theater stage surrounded by candles and flowers. Finally, a classically trained pianist will accompany The Salvation Army band. Commissioner William Bamford of The Salvation Army will open the proceedings and welcome guests. Peter Gudaitis, Executive Director, New York Disaster Interfaith Services, will also speak.

Emotional support from chaplains and mental health workers will be available to the public, as well as artistic and creative outlets guided by art therapists.

Information about services available to those impacted from providers on-site, including the World Trade Center Health Program. Health and wellness discussions will also be offered, including help with COVID-19 vaccines, health services, etc.

9/11 Healing and Remembrance Event. Image Credit – Salvation Army

WHERE: The Salvation Army’s Centennial Memorial Temple theater and event space,

120 West 14th Street (Between 6th and 7th Avenues)

EVENT ELEMENTS:

Elevated view (photos and video) permitted from the top of the theatre (balcony section)
9/11 stories: Representatives from American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and Tuesday’s Children will speak about their personal experiences and their organizations’ relief efforts on 9/11 and in the days, weeks, and months following the catastrophic event
The Salvation Army staff band performing a tribute
Livestream of Memorial event (reading of names) in the theater that typically seats 1,400 but will have 500 due to COVID restrictions.
In addition to health and emotional support for attendees, a memorial of candles and flowers will be displayed in the theater

We ask that media please respect first responders and attendees and conduct interviews only in the designated interview rooms. No lights or flashbulbs are permitted in the memorial area in front of the stage. Thank you.

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ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY GREATER NEW YORK DIVISION

The Salvation Army is the second largest disaster relief organization in America. An integral part of the community for 132 years, The Salvation Army Greater New York Division operates more than 100 community and social-service programs, serving more than one million people a year, regardless of race, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. Since COVID-19, it has served more than 7 million meals. For more information, visit salvationarmyny.org.

Terese Kelly Greer

Highly skilled public relations executive with more than 15 years experience. Extensive experience and success with consumer, business and trade media relations (offline and online); corporate branding/consumer brand building; crisis communications/issues management, event marketing and cause related marketing.