SUN CITY – The following report is a chronological timetable of Sun City’s 9/11 tribute to the 2977 lives lost on that day ten years ago to terrorists’ attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. Conceived by the “Memorial Six,” Linda Bahwell, Peg Mulhall, Mary and Michele Neigebauer, Catherine Portera, and Barb Soracco, the remembrance was two-fold: (1) a field of flags acknowledging each loss of American life and (2) an inspirational 90-minute program dedicated to the date’s anniversary. Both the hillside display of flags and the program were seen by thousands of Sun City residents.
Sun City Huntley Marines present Colors at ceremony beginning and lead the audience in Pledge of Allegiance. (All photos Provided by the Huntley Area Public Library)
This is the “Memorial Six” story concerning their “field of flags”:
In July, Peg and Catherine conceived of a 9/11 project involving flags. They brought their idea to Linda, Mary, Michele, and Barb, who after receiving permission from the CAM desk, decided to proceed with the plan.
Catherine Portera thought, “The way people behaved after 9/11/01: everyone was kinder, (more) considerate, and openly patriotic. We’d like to get back to behaving that way. We came together as a country. ‘Never forget.’ Not just for 9/11 but for all the days after is the way we need to be, like speaking to someone when you pass them or (giving them) a smile.” Peg Mulhall added regarding the memorial, “I had a picture in my head how it would be. It turned out so much better than I could have imagined.” Michele Neigebauer was also glad to be able to help with the Memorial.
An estimated 1,000 people attended the ceremony.
At first, 3000 flags were ordered, but how the flags would appear in straight lines on their grassy field became an ongoing question for the six ladies. To answer this dilemma, Nick Koplos was asked to be the chief surveyor of the flag project. With his 43 years of work expertise, Nick devised his own 8-foot grid with control lines using a measuring stick for 2-foot increment spacing. He labored in the hot sun for a week testing his system. Nick was assisted by Darrell Cooper and Art Taillon who, together with Mr. Koplos, finished the layout on Thursday, September 8. Nick then asked Harry Dalof, a Woodchuck member, to staple together three measuring sticks and make six of them, so as to simplify the flags’ installation process.
The Memorial Six.
Because the ground proved to be very hard to insert the flags, Peg devised “The Gizmo.” Her plan went to Harmony Metal Fabrication Inc., where together they invented a tall metal rod with a small platform to step on. “The Gizmo” could then make a 3-inch hole. Paradigm Coatings was then able to offer a protective layer for rust-proofing. Twenty-four Gizmos were made and donated.
Sun City Huntley Marines present Colors before leading audiences in Pledge of Allegiance.
On Friday, the 9th, the “Memorial Six” practiced filling in the flag sections so they could show the volunteers the procedure. Members of N. 47’s softball team, the Mustangs, came by and helped get a few columns of flags done. Our ladies were now ready for the rest of the volunteers, but arriving early on Saturday, September 10, they were greeted with a surprising sight! Four tiny flags had been placed overnight in the front row between the two center flags. No one to this day knows how they got there and why they were placed there. The “Memorial Six” decided to leave the four small flags there as a centering point for the larger display of flags on the hillside facing Sun City’s fountain and pond.
Then beginning at 8 a.m., volunteers began pouring into the area in huge amounts: neighbors, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the Silver Cords, a community service group, and Huntley High School Honor Society. The volunteers worked so diligently and enthusiastically that they refused to take a break to let new volunteers help out.
On the nights of September 10 and September 11, the field of flags was illuminated by spotlights and guarded all night by volunteers led by Don Arseneau and Kathy Green. Jason Reyes, Reservist Army Sergeant, stood the 8to 10 p.m. watch. He refused to leave until his replacement appeared.
Linda Bahwell, reflecting on the night visits to the flags, commented: “The picture at nigh–with the full moon, the lighted fountain cascading so beautifully, the illuminated flags–was breathtaking. People would visit the flags at night, take pictures, some left in tears.”
Taps played by the Huntley American Legion.
Indeed, there appeared to be a respectful quiet as seniors and their families, as well as Huntley residents of all ages, spoke in hushed tones as they continued to visit the site day and night on that weekend. They came on foot, on bikes, by golf carts, and by cars to see the flags waving gently in the breeze. Rain showers were predicted, but instead Sun City was blessed with beautiful weather.
This is the “Memorial Six” story concerning their Memorial Program:
After the purchase of the flags, things seemed to progress very quickly from there. The “Memorial Six” began to contact everyone in the area they thought might be interested in participating in a memorial program: The American Legion, the Sun City Marines, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the Sun City Clergy, Huntley High School, and Huntley Library, and many more community organizations. The Lifestyle Magazine helped by giving the six ladies the names of entertainers who might be interested in performing. The SunTones responded by accepting a spot in their program. Dave Strang and Dave Rosenfeldt said that they would say the prayers. Orion Samuelson, with his “velvet voice,” volunteered to narrate September 11’s fateful morning’s events on the stage at the Fountainview Pavilion. Wes Williams, a bagpiper, with his two children on drums, signed up to play “Amazing Grace.” Many Sun City clubs also stepped up with monetary donations and more volunteerism.
And so it began, this huge co-mingling of talent dedicated to a wonderful cause, “The 9/11 Sacrifice of the Patriots.” At 8 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2011, a beautiful late summer day, Lions Club’s Jack Anderson, helped with golf carts to shuttle people from their cars to the site of the performance. People sat and stood in huge numbers around the site of the flags and the pavilion. The above mentioned names were joined on stage by 20 students from the Jacob High School A Capella Choir singing the “Star Spangled Banner” in at least four-part harmony. John Kirby wowed the crowd with his rendition of “I’m Proud To Be An American.” And an extremely emotional moment in the memorial program occurred when a fire department ambulance with sirens screaming rushed by on Sun City Boulevard as Bob Fitzsimons recounted the story of his brother, a New York fireman, who died in the North Tower while rescuing people.
After the anniversary program had concluded, Barb Soracco heard comments such as “Thank you. It brought our community together.”
Barb knew that this was one ladies’ objectives. “We couldn’t have done it without the hands and talents and enthusiasm of so many of our neighbor volunteers. We truly appreciate you,” she added.
Mary Neigebauer continued, “It was truly a community event with community participation. It was done to honor the fallen people. This was something we could finally do…. This was an opportunity to show respect for the lives that were lost. All the many memorials for 9/11 that were held around the country proves to the world that we are keeping our promise to ‘Never Forget What Happened That Day.'”
Written in collaboration with Barb Soracco and the Memorial Six.
