Give Your Voice

First, we want to be sure that every effort is being made to spot, recover, preserve, identify and deliver any human remains to the families of the victims in order that a decent burial may be had by the families and loved ones. For many, whether it be for religious or personal reasons, closure is not possible until their loved ones remains have been recovered or the time has come that it is impossible to recover remains for burial.

Second, we want to provide a voice and an ear for all victims' families. We honor our brave firefighters and stand firm with them in our grief. But those who lost someone who was a civilian has no structure, no organization through which to find answers or through which to even raise questions particularly regarding the recovery process and steps being taken to ensure the proper preservation of human remains.

2. What can the city do to help?
The structure for communication to city employees is there and has been in place for years - and we do not begrudge that - we applaud it. At the same time we ask the City and the Mayor to work with us to create a similar structure. Our organization speaks on behalf of the families of WTC victims - all of which have questions that remain unanswered. Let us work to set up the system to provide answers. Not our answers, but the City's answers - we are happy to serve as a conduit so that so many families can receive some clarity to questions and concerns regarding the procedures used to recover our loved ones and steps being taken to preserve human remains for identification and burial purposes.

3. What other issues does GIVE YOUR VOICE hope to address?
We would like to continue our role for each and every issue dealing with the attack as a voice and ear for families. Soon after our primary focus has been resolved, meaning dignified removal of remains is achieved and a system has been put in place for open communication then we will turn our efforts to other issues. Obviously, two major issues for all families are the treatment of the monies raised for victims and the federal legislation relating to the compensation of victims heirs both of which are still in total flux. We would like to have a role in the decision making process if others are to have a voice and would want to be able to disseminate the information once decided in an organized readily available manner.
Right now the families are struggling with their losses, which are even more acute around the holidays. Unfortunately, the pain is exacerbated due to the massive confusion on almost all matters relating to the attack. We have received reports that there are over 140 organizations that have collected funds for victims families - that is an overwhelming number - the families who are fighting to deal with the loss cannot possibly muster the energy to seek out 10 organizations much less 140.

4. What about long term goals?
We are about the dignified recovery and preservation of remains for decent burial and communication. We recognize that our first goal has a limited time line - but that is all the more reason every effort should be made to achieve the recovery of all existing remains. Someday time will run out and there will be no more recovery.
Our second goal of communication will continue even after the decisions are made to rebuild WTC. We will be there when decisions are made to remember forever not only those whose remains were not recovered and who will be permanently buried at ground zero but also those who got out through the help of so many in the greatest evacuation event in history. We will be there when the brave men and women who have dedicated themselves in the recovery effort from the firefighter to the volunteer serving a drink and a sandwich are also remembered. We will be there always in voice, in prayer and in thanks.

If you are a family member of a missing Civilian and would like to obtain more information on:

How you can support and become more involved in the above issues.
Future meetings with other families for updates and planning sessions that address our important issues.

Please contact our chairperson Jennie Farrell. Email her at Jennie@OptOnline.NET

Please Sign our Membership Form and offer your support for our efforts.