Observances are plentiful in life, some more meaningful, and some more rituals.
Ceremonies for the September 11, 2001 tragedies always are among the meaningful. It is a natural, of course, because many live through it vicariously with written accounts and images everywhere.
It has been nearly 20 years and events in three areas in the eastern portion of the country keep the significance real to us. They give us moments of reflection and of thankfulness our country banded together and moved on from the crises.
Naperville’s Dan Shanower, a U.S. Naval officer perished in the terrorists’ attack on the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.. The other sites were in Shankesville, Pa. and New York City in the World Trade Center twin towers which crumbled. The Pentagon’s sound base and sturdy build withstood the shock.
The leaders and citizens of Naperville did not waste time in creating a memorial to Dan Shanower near its downtown which was completed in 2003 and dedicated September 11, 2003. Ceremonies have been held each year.
At the center of the Memorial between the DuPage River and the Municipal Center in downtown Naperville is a sculpture which integrates 100 pounds of rubble from the damaged portion of the Pentagon, a twisted steel beam from the World Trade Center, and granite from Pennsylvania area where Flight 93 crashed. Heroic passengers took on the hijackers on the plane, apparently on its way to Washington, D.C.. Additionally at the Memorial, is a 48-foot retaining wall with an eternal flame. Naperville schoolchildren created more than 140 faces as a symbol of the casualties. Bill Cooper of Benton Harbor, Mich. designed the sculpture, which contains a boot print of Shanower.
Various items fill a need to find expression:
• Last week in this space was a reference to The Aurora area Retired Teachers Association (AARTA) acting as sponsor for To go Luncheon. To be sure, the date of the important event will be October 6 and at Gaslite Manor on Church Road in Aurora. Times for reserved pick-up are 11:30 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. for a choice of three dinners. Face masks can be purchased. See page 5, lower, right, for information as a benefit to help two food pantries in Aurora.
• Private schools, more than ever, require inventive ways to raise funds. Grace Holistic Center for Education (GHCE) in Yorkville will be host to a gala and gathering at 201 Garden Street Saturday, Sept. 26. The Grace Gathering will be at 1 p.m. and Grace Gala will be at 6 p.m.. Donations can be sent to the school.
• The Aurora Historical Society is collecting photographs of Aurora residents wearing face masks. The digital initiative is planning for the future. “The time will come, Historical Society and manager of the program, Greg Probst, said, “when another generation will be wondering what it was like here in 2020. The AHS will be able to show some of the answers.”
• The Naperville Park District invites adults and children ages five and up to hear unique and spine-tingling tales told by talented storytellers from Summer Place Theatre in four shows October 2-4 at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Sindt Court, west of Centennial Beach. Tickets must be purchased in advance and social distance will be observed.
• The Fox Valley Park District has received an award as the Best of the Best from the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
Clear and Concise, Week 37:
• Those who assist in truly charitable causes, including distribution of food, are worthy of special salutes. We can not and must not give names, however, there are many individuals who give of their time freely and deserve society’s special salute and thanks. Take a bow and know you are appreciated. You know who you are. See photos, below, of distribution to residents in cars in communities hurt by hard times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other situations. One volunteer at one site was overheard to say the large turn out was surprising.
• This corner remains surprised at the incorrect use of words and lack of understanding. We can do better because words reflect what the writer seeks to portray precisely. Think correct use of nouns and verbs. It takes out the guess work.
• With a Lenten theme borrowed here: I fast from the emphasis on differences; I feast on the oneness of all life; I fast from apparent darkness; I feast on the reality of light; I fast from discontent; I feast on gratitude.