As the day that has defined this past decade reaches its 10th anniversary, a New Canaan nonprofit has created an online memorial to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The 9/11 Living Memorial Project (911livingmemorial.org) was created by Mary Fetchet and Beverly Eckert, founders of Voices of September 11th. The nonprofit was founded in 2001 by Fetchet, a clinical social worker and educator who lost her 24-year-old son Brad, and Eckert, who lost her husband in the attacks.
“The memorial enables family and friends of victims to collaborate, share and remember the victims of the attack,” Fetchet said. “It is constantly changing.”
Today the living memorial is an ever-growing online collection of more than 60,000 photographs, written tributes and personal keepsakes contributed by families. The organization has a membership of more than 13,000 families and friends of victims living in the United States and abroad.
For 10 years, Voices of September 11th”™s staff has provided care and facilitated programs that promote resiliency and address the long-term, intergenerational needs of families, rescue workers and survivors of the terrorist attacks. There are now Voices of September 11th offices in New Jersey and Washington, D.C., as well as New Canaan.
“We have experienced social workers who provide a wide array of support services including case management, support groups, educational programs, workshops,” Fetchet said. Through its constant work with the family of victims, the organization”™s staff watched the pain of having memories slip away.
In response, the 9/11 Living Memorial Project was begun to assist families in the process of creating a meaningful tribute to document the stories of thousands of rescue workers and survivors at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa.
Fetchet”™s responsibilities have grown since the nonprofit”™s inception. Today, Fetchet and her organization are considered prime advocates for 9/11 victims. The group consults on topics of respectful notification and handling of unidentified remains, personal effects, establishment of memorials, mental health issues, and national and local preparedness.
“We continue to support implementation of the 9/11 Commission”™s recommendations for government reform,” Fetchet said. She has personally testified before the 9/11 Commission in 2003, the U.S. Senate’s Governmental Affairs Committee in 2004 and the House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations in 2006, among other agencies and organizations.
For Voices of September 11th events leading up to the anniversary, visit voicesofsept11.org.
Mary Fetchet, founder of Voices of September 11th
“The 10th anniversary is a milestone for our families, our country and the world ”“ over 90 countries lost citizens on 9/11. The anniversary is an important time for our country to pause and honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and to recognize the thousands who survived. It is also an opportunity to teach children who are too young to remember, the inspirational stories of how our country and our world came together as one.
“On a personal level, the 10th anniversary is a time of reflection that marks the death of my son and a profound turning point in my life and the life of my family. It”™s a time to count the blessings of my family and friends, whose caring and compassion helped me through a challenging time. I am also grateful to the hundreds of individuals who have helped Voices become the vibrant organization it is today. Their generosity, that continues as we approach the 10th anniversary, is a testimony to the kindness and strength of the human spirit.”
