LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Retired and Senior Volunteer Program joined the rest of the nation in an effort for Kaua‘i’s One Thousand Acts of Kindness in observance of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. “It does not cost a lot
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Retired and Senior Volunteer Program joined the rest of the nation in an effort for Kaua‘i’s One Thousand Acts of Kindness in observance of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.
“It does not cost a lot of money, or effort to do something nice,” said Linda Nuland-Ames, director for Kaua‘i RSVP. “Everyone can do something, even a small child preparing breakfast for parents in bed.”
Kaua‘i RSVP volunteers will be at the Kukui Grove Center Today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of the disaster preparedness fair and will have ideas on how people can be part of the national observance of Sept. 11 by doing acts of kindness.
A mayoral proclamation presented by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. calls on all interested Americans to participate in their own observance through moments of silence, the flying of the American flag at half-staff, as well as community service and charitable activities in tribute and remembrance.
RSVP volunteer and AARP leader Janice Bond said AARP performed its Day of Service activity Friday by having its members police the popular Lydgate Park in Wailua, some members being distracted by the Senior Fun Day celebration at the park’s main pavilion.
The Day of Service is a national AARP initiative. Similarly, the efforts by RSVP Kaua‘i is a national initiative based on the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which recognizes Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, the act being originated by family members of those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11, states a White House press release.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the peace and security of our nation was shattered by terrorist attacks which killed nearly 3,000 people from 92 different countries at the World Trade Center towers in New York City, at the United States Pentagon and in the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, states the mayoral proclamation.
What followed was an unprecedented, historic bonding of Americans rising from the collective shock, unifying the country in an outpouring of national spirit, pride, selflessness, generosity, courage and service with numerous people participating in an extraordinarily difficult and dangerous rescue and recovery effort, in some cases, voluntarily putting their own well-being at risk.
“In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all Americans to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad,” said President Barack Obama in signing the proclamation designating Sept. 11 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Carvalho said he plans on being at the Ka‘iakea Fire Station Sunday at 7 a.m. for the sounding of sirens by fire, police and American Medical Response vehicles in tribute to Sept. 11.
A county press release calls for all on duty police and American Medical Response vehicles to gather at the fire station nearest their location and parked next to, or in close proximity with the fire apparatus, the placement of the vehicles determined by the fire captain.
Participating fire stations include the Hanalei, Ka‘iakea, Kapa‘a, Lihu‘e, Koloa, Kalaheo, Hanapepe and Waimea stations.
At 7 a.m., dispatch will broadcast an order to sound all vehicle sirens for 60 seconds at which time officers shall face the American flag and render a salute, holding for 60 seconds while the siren is sounding.
“With Kaua‘i’s participation, all 50 states are represented in this effort,” Carvalho said in the county release. “No matter where you live, all Americans were impacted by these events 10 years ago, and the men and women whose lives were lost must be remembered and honored.”
This effort is being spearheaded by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg. Visit www.lautenberg.senate.gov/stopandremember/ for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
