A Weekend Filled with Support on the 22nd Anniversary of 9/11

22 years and yet for many of our members, it feels like yesterday. Once again, Board Member and Oklahoma City Bombing survivor, Dot Hill, joined for the weekend to bring support to our 9/11 family. Additionally, we were blessed to have Manchester Arena Bombing survivors Lisa and Ellie Taylor join for the weekend. It was incredible to have such tremendous support which is key especially around anniversaries.

The weekend began on Saturday, September 9th, where 9/11 survivor Brian Branco and his wife Cyndi hosted a special afternoon get-together in their home. The afternoon was filled with old and new friends, sharing experiences over incredible food and more importantly a warm and wonderful home filled with friends who are like family. Sunday for those interested, a group met for lunch and a visit to the Museum of Natural History before joining for our pre-9/11 dinner hosted every year by the Haberman family. It was not only an evening for us to connect but we were blessed with Ellie Taylor sharing a special song she wrote which resonated tremendously with everyone in the room.

The next morning those attending the 9/11 ceremony met as usual very early at George’s before walking together to the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. As everyone gathered on the memorial plaza, the ceremony began after 8:46am which was the moment where the first tower, the North Tower, was hit by Flight 11. Moments of silence take place during the ceremony in between the reading of the names. The chiming of bells 6 times - one for each hijacking and two for the collapses of the towers. Together, we listened for hours to the names that were read aloud and once again paid tribute to the victims. While this happens every year, it always seems difficult to listen and hear the thousands of names read by family members especially young readers who remember the loved ones they never met.

After the ceremony, Strength to Strength hosted a lunch downtown at The Malt House to reconnect. Approximately 38 members joined for an afternoon of good food and friends. In the evening, as the rain cleared for a bit, we were able to meet back at the memorial to witness the Tribute Lights and pay respect to those lives lost. 

Special thank you to George’s and The Malt House for taking such good care of us as they do every year.