[SEPT. 17, 2001]  Message from U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, 18th District, Illinois, on Sept. 14, 2001:

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[SEPT. 17, 2001]  Speech made by Jonathan Wright, state representative for the 90th District, on the Logan County Courthouse lawn on Friday, Sept. 14:

On behalf of people I am privileged to represent, not only in this community but in the 90^th District, I want to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to anyone who has lost a family member, or a friend or acquaintance in the tragedy that occurred on Tuesday.

I also want to express condolences and sympathies to the families of the firefighters, the rescue workers and the police officers who paid the highest price they could to save the life of another.

As I look here at the police officers, and firefighters, and rescue workers, we have in our community, I want to say, "Thank you for being ever ready to pay that same price."

In the midst of this tragedy — make no mistake, it has been a tragedy — I have seen the brilliance of this country shine in a way I have never seen in my life. You see, I think the cowards who committed this act made a big mistake. They underestimated the greatness of this country and the greatness of this people. They expected us to respond in selfishness, as they are apt to portray us as a bastion of nothing more than greed and materialism. Yet they have seen selflessness as we watched the police officers, and the firefighters, and the rescue workers, work to the point of exhaustion, risk their lives and tragically give their lives for another. They expected us to respond in fear, and yet they’ve seen our greatness shine through as we respond with the courage forged in the belly of this nation, beginning with the American Revolution all the way to Operation Desert Storm, as we hear of military recruiting officers talk of telephone lines being flooded with volunteers wanting to join the military and defend and fight for their country.

They expected us to respond with regionalism — to say in the Midwest, and the South, and the Great Plains, and the West Coast, "Well, that’s New York City’s problem! That’s Washington D.C.’s problem!" And yet they’ve seen every citizen in this country step forward and say, "How can I help? Where do I go? Where do I give money? Where do I give blood?" They don’t understand that our bonds are not made by proximity of residence but by the bonds of freedom, justice and democracy.

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They expected us to respond in apathy — to say, "Well it doesn’t affect me personally. So I go on with my life." And yet they’ve seen this country, in communities all over this great land, come together for prayer vigils night, after night, after night; and patriotic meetings like this one on courthouse steps all across the country. As I look at this group and as I thought about visiting the Statue of Liberty last year — and I thought about the landscape of New York City’s skyline that I looked at last year that is not there today — I also couldn’t help but think of the statue and what she stands for — liberty, freedom, democracy, justice — and I realize the beacon of freedom never shines so brightly as in the darkest of hours. Just like that beacon on the shore never shines so brightly as it does in the middle of the night, in the midst of this tragedy we’ve seen the greatness of our country shine with a brilliance I’ve not seen in my lifetime.

Let me close with these thoughts because I think they are all our thoughts.

I always flew my flag at home, but now I’ll fly it more often.

I always prayed for this country and its leaders, but now I will pray more fervently and earnestly.

I always loved my country, but now I love it with a deeper passion than I’ve ever had.

I’ve always been proud to be a citizen of this country, but I’ve never been more proud than I am here today — to be a citizen of the greatest country, the greatest land, the greatest nation, the greatest political experiment the world has ever seen, the United States of America.

Thank you all for coming, for showing your patriotism, your love of country; and God bless America!

Stirring 'Public Expression of
Patriotism' held on the square

[SEPT. 15, 2001]  Americans young, old, and in between gathered on the Logan County Courthouse lawn Friday afternoon to be, for a little while, part of a larger community that cared and wanted to show it.

[Click here to view more pictures]

Like so many other Americans in so many other towns and cities, those who took part in the ceremony in Lincoln were a living proof that enemies who think acts of terrorism, no matter how heinous, can divide and conquer America have made a tremendous mistake. 

As Illinois Rep. Jonathan Wright put it, “They have underestimated the greatness of our country and our people.

“The enemy,” he said, “expected us to respond selfishly.  Instead, Americans are giving their lives to try to save others.

“They expected us to respond with fear, but we responded with courage.

“They expected us to respond with regionalism, saying, ‘That’s New York City’s problem.’  Instead, citizens have stepped forward, saying, ‘How can I help?’

“They expected us to respond with apathy because ‘This doesn’t affect me personally,’ but instead we have come together for prayer vigils and patriotic meetings,” Wright said.

Selfishness, fear, regionalism and apathy were simply not in the picture on Friday.  Instead, in a show of support for their fellow firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police and other rescue workers in New York City, firefighters from all over Logan County, and a few from beyond the county’s borders, lined the walkway on the Broadway side of the courthouse during the ceremony.  A few had tears running down their cheeks, as did many in the audience.

A further show of respect and brotherhood was “the last alarm,” the ringing of the bell three times in honor of the fallen firefighters on the East Coast.

The question “How can I help?” is being answered with a fund drive for the families of the firefighters and rescue workers who died trying to save the lives of others  in the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings on Tuesday.  

Those who want to help may drop off donations at the Lincoln Safety Complex and Wal-Mart from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, and at the same two locations on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or they may call the Emergency Service and Disaster Agency (ESDA) at 732-3911.  Hours for donation drop-offs in other Logan County fire districts will be announced later.

Dan Fulscher, ESDA director, can attest that Lincoln residents are not responding with selfishness.  He has already had donations of $62, just from the few people who heard the planning committee discussing the fund drive.   When the drive ends Sept. 30, Logan County Board Chairman Dick Logan will mail the contributions to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to give to the New York City Fire and Police Fund.

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Logan, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the occasion, said, “Our hearts are heavy, but our spirits are high.”

      The Lincoln Interveterans Council carried the colors, and World War II Veteran Arnold Haak asked that American veterans be remembered along with others who had made sacrifices for their country.

County Clerk Sally Litterly read a resolution by the County Board, presented by historian Paul Gleason.   These “overt acts of terrorism” which were unprovoked, are “a threat to the civility of the American way of life and a violation of the safety and security of our citizens,” the resolution said.

      It expressed the board’s “condemnation of the attacks, our support of the President and Congress, and our concern for the injured and the families of those lost.”  A copy of the resolution will be sent to the President of the United States and to represenatives in Washington.

      Carla Bender, Clerk of the Circuit Court and 18th District Congressman Ray LaHood’s Logan County Coordinator, read a letter from LaHood to Logan County residents.  That letter will be reprinted in its entirety in Monday’s issue of the Lincoln Daily News, as will the speech given by Wright. 

      Wright thanked the assembled firefighters, police and rescue workers for being “ready to pay the price” and expressed his condolences for the lost and their families and friends.

      “In the face of tragedy, I have seen the brilliance of our country shine,” he said.  “Freedom never shines so brightly as in the darkest hour. . . . I have always been proud to be an American citizen, but I have never been so proud as I am today.”

      The Rev. Larry Maffett of the First United Methodist Church gave the opening and closing prayers, and the Lincoln Community High School choir sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.”  At the close of the ceremony, the community of those who cared joined hands and sang “God Bless America.”

[Joan Crabb]

Young, old and in between
come together on Friday

[SEPT. 15, 2001]  Mary Olson, who remembers Pearl Harbor, was one of the 1,200 to 1,500 folks who attended the ceremony Friday at 4:15 p.m. on the lawn of the Logan County Courthouse to show her patriotism and her sympathy for the rescue workers in New York City.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said.  “Everybody’s coming together.  That’s what we’ve got to do to get back at the terrorists.  We’ve got to stick together, through thick or thin.

“Pearl Harbor was terrible,” she remembers, “but that was away from us.  This is worse.”

Tim McCormick came alone.  The reason?  His wife was still in New York City.  She was four blocks away, standing on the sidewalk, when the hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Buildings.  She was, fortunately, not hurt, and she rented a car and will soon be home, but Tim was still feeling outrage, anger and fright.

He was grateful for the public ceremony, which he said was helping him during the time he has such concern about his wife.  The ceremony is the kind of thing he expects in the city of Lincoln.  

“We haven’t had anything like this since Pearl Harbor.  I think its terrific that politics has been put aside.”

The four Bone children came to the ceremony with their mother, Jennifer, who is a teacher at Elkhart.

“I think it’s important that my children come and see our community pull together,” she said.  “The two oldest ones understand the loss of life of the firemen in New York.  They see the firemen pulling together like an extended family.

“They have had programs at school, but as a family we haven’t had a chance to be part of a program together until now.”

Camillia, age 9, and Brittney, 7½, “will remember where they were when all of this happened,” she said.  They will be able to tell Allison, age 4, and Quentin, 3, how it was in Lincoln on Sept. 14, 2001.

[Joan Crabb]

Make a Blanket Day for national disaster

[SEPT. 15, 2001]  Project Linus is a 100 percent volunteer nonprofit organization.  It is their mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are ill, traumatized or otherwise in need, through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer blanket makers.

On Tuesday, Sept. 18, the Bloomington, Normal, Peoria and Decatur Project Linus chapters will be having a Make a Blanket Day at Eastland Mall in Bloomington from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The group is asking for volunteers to help them make as many blankets as possible to be sent to the three areas in need: Washington, New York and Pennsylvania. Project Linus chapters in each of those areas are ready and willing to help distribute the blankets to those children who have been traumatized. 

Blankets can be quilted, knitted, crocheted; made of cotton, flannel or fleece; and may be of any size, any style, as long as they are new and handmade. You are invited to come and sew, knit, or crochet with the group at the mall; or if you are not crafty, there are plenty of other jobs you can help with. Project Linus volunteers will show you how to tie a quilt, cut batting,  pin quilts; or you can help people bringing in their sewing machines and ironing boards to load and unload. Help will be needed with tally boards, picking up finished quilts, at the check- in table or running errands for those sewing.  There are a variety of ways you can assist.

There is no need to register in advance; just show up at the check- in table, located at the Sears entrance inside the mall.  You can help for one hour, a half day or the whole day. Any time you have available will be greatly appreciated.  This will also be the drop- off site for supplies and new handmade blankets. Donations will be accepted on Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the check- in table.

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Board earmarks $1,000 for disaster relief

[SEPT. 14, 2001]  As "a token from one government to another," in Rod White’s terms, the Logan County Board said it plans to send $1,000, from the County Farm Fund surplus, for disaster relief in New York City and Washington, D.C., to be administered by the American Red Cross.

At the beginning of its board of the whole meeting at the courthouse Tuesday night, the board held a moment of silence for the victims of Tuesday’s attack and announced a service at 4:15 p.m. Friday to express feelings of patriotism. The service will be at the Broadway side of the courthouse.

Logan County ESDA Director Dan Fulscher announced that the LEPC-ESDA yearly exercise will still be held on Sept. 29, but the Mount Pulaski safe school exercise is canceled because the SWAT team is occupied elsewhere. Roger Bock, chairman of the Airport Committee, said the airport was briefly reopened Thursday and then closed again by the FAA. An ultralight fly-in is still expected to take place on Saturday and Sunday, drawing 30-50 aircraft.

Lloyd Evans, administrator of the Logan County Health Department, said he has been informed that blood donations are not needed at the present and, rather than collect a "glut of blood" now, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital laboratory is keeping names of those interested in donating blood as need arises.

In tentative votes the 12 board members, including newly seated member Thomas Cash, indicated that on Tuesday they will approve bids of $8320.50 from Stewart’s Carpet Center in Mount Pulaski for carpet and installation and $8,900 from High for bird repellent for the courthouse. They also indicated they would accept these bids for the Dr. John Logan County Building: $2,937.46 from Gossett’s Decorator Studio for vertical blinds, $5,460 from Gossett’s for carpet and installation, $2,982.50 from Lincoln Office Products for 10 tables and 24 chairs, and $6,350 from Ushmann Communications for a phone system. A sign for the building has been ordered from Mr. Hickey at a cost of $969.

Lloyd Evans of the Logan County Health Department discussed several proposed changes to the food inspection ordinance. These changes would restate inspection frequency as "at least as often as the state requires," change response period from 10 days to 10 working days and allow for a temporary permit with a termination date.

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Board member David Hepler questioned a provision requiring that a food service establishment have a person able to understand and speak English available for routine inspections and other health department business. Since inspections and other business are not announced ahead of time, this would mean having an English-speaking person present whenever the restaurant or other establishment is open. Hepler suggested instead adding a provision for the use of an interpreter, with the establishment bearing the cost.

Kathy Waldo, Health Department director of environmental services, said it is impossible to conduct an inspection, train on food safety issues or investigate food-borne illnesses if no one in the restaurant speaks English. State’s Attorney Tim Huyett said his personal reaction was, "It’s a cost of doing business in a predominantly English-speaking country." Evans said that in Chicago an applicant can take the test for a food handler’s license in a variety of languages, and Cook County hires personnel who can act as interpreters. However, it is cost-prohibitive for a smaller county to employ interpreters. The Logan County Health Department does have food-handling videos available in several languages.

Dale Voyles, chair of the Legislative Committee, reported a proposal to enlarge the Zoning Board of Appeals from five to six members in coordination with the coming transition to board districts. The additional member plus others to fill vacancies would be appointed from districts not currently represented.

Repairs to the Indian maiden statue are expected to be completed by the end of October, according to Building and Grounds co-chair Terry Werth. The statue will be set on the Pulaski Street side of the courthouse.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

CEFCU accepts contributions to
Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

Light a candle

[SEPT. 14, 2001]  A nationwide show of solidarity is planned for this evening, Friday, Sept. 14, at 7.

Every American is being asked to step out of your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle. We will show the world that Americans are strong and united against terrorism.

The message: We stand united — We will not tolerate terrorism!

Large attendance at
Mount Pulaski prayer vigil

[SEPT. 14, 2001]  Approximately 400 people attended a candlelight prayer vigil on the Mount Pulaski square on Thursday evening, Sept. 13. Pastor John Robertson of the Mount Pulaski Christian Church organized the event.

A group of children began the vigil by singing "God Bless America."  Prayers were offered by Pastor Robertson; Sally Litterly, Logan County clerk; Bill Glaze, mayor of Mount Pulaski; Ron Bowles, Mount Pulaski fire chief; Greg Maus, father of a U.S. serviceman; and Karen DeVault, a Mount Pulaski resident who offered a prayer for all medical personnel.

All Mount Pulaski firemen, EMS personnel and police officers attended in full dress uniform. It was very emotional and patriotic ceremony.

The service concluded with everyone singing "Amazing Grace." 

[LDN ]

Community services planned for Friday

Special hours at Logan County Courthouse

[SEPT. 13, 2001]  The president has proclaimed Sept. 14 a National Day of Prayer. The president is "encouraging employers to permit their workers time off during the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to pray for our land."

By order of the Logan County Board chairman, the courthouse and all county offices will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. to allow employees to attend a communitywide prayer service at the Lincoln Christian Church.

The courthouse and county offices will re-open at 1 p.m. and close Friday at 4 p.m. for a "Public Expression of Patriotism" service at 4:15 p.m. at the Broadway side of the courthouse. Logan County government and emergency workers request your attendance to do our part for those suffering in the eastern United States.

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Agenda for Public Expression of Patriotism

• Welcome by Logan County Board Chairman Dick Logan

• Pledge of allegiance to the flag

• Prayer led by the Rev. Larry Maffett

• "Star-Spangled Banner," performed by LCHS Choir

• County board resolution read by Sally Litterly, county clerk

• Remarks by state Rep. Jonathan Wright

• Letter from U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood read by Carla Bender, clerk of the Circuit Court

• "God Bless America," led by Dick Logan

• Song by LCHS Choir

• Remarks by Dan Fulscher, Logan County ESDA director

• Closing prayer

• "Proud to be an American" recording

[LDN and news releases ]

Blood donors will be needed
in future, Hester says

[SEPT. 13, 2001]  The local supply of blood is adequate now, but more may be needed in the near future, according to Woody Hester, CEO of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

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[Joan Crabb]

Students grapple with terrorism

[SEPT. 13, 2001]   

Tuesday

At Lincoln Community High School, social studies teacher Stephen Sauer attempted to put the events of the day in perspective for students as they sat watching history unfold live on Channel 1.

He told his students, "This is history you are living in. You are seeing something which is unprecedented in history."

Sauer went on to say all of the following:

"I have told kids in the past, ‘Because we are a free society, we are vulnerable.’ I never imagined that something would happen on a scale like this.

"The kids seem be responding really well. They've asked questions like, ‘Who’s responsible?’

"We had just watched as a plane flew into the building, and a plane flew by over here. We all made eye contact. You just get heightened, you get a little more sensitized when you watch these things happen.

"They’ve been handling it well though — asking good questions and watching pretty attentively."

Like other past catastrophic events, such as the assassination of JFK, Waco, Columbine, and when the Challenger blew up, it is expected that this week’s events will have an impact on our children. When they travel to D.C. or New York, or wherever they go, they'll be thinking twice about what happened on Sept. 11, 2001.

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When asked what the influence he thought this event might have on the students’ political involvement, Sauer responded, "I'll be curious to see in the days ahead what they think once we know more about what happened — their reaction: Are we supposed to go out with guns blazing or do we use diplomacy? How are we going to handle that?"

Wednesday evening

Lincoln College students, faculty and staff gathered in regard for the national events that occurred on Tuesday. Student housing director Steve Snodgrass, creative writing instructor John Means and religion instructor John Welter spoke on a variety of topics dealing with how we as a community can cope with what has happened. Mr. Welter’s speech was moving because he compared the events to what he witnessed during the race riots of the ’60s.

[LDN ]

The day after ‘Attack on America’

Area leaders respond to national tragedy

[SEPT. 12, 2001]  Sympathy for the victims and their families and a sense that America has reached a turning point were among the reactions that Logan County officials had to Tuesday’s acts of terrorism that destroyed the World Trade Center and part of the Pentagon.

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[Joan Crabb]

City says ‘no’ again to taking
over problem culvert

[SEPT. 12, 2001]  A proposal that the city of Lincoln take over and repair a deteriorating box culvert north of the Cracker Barrel Restaurant near Allison Lake got the same answer it got last November — a resounding "no."

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[Joan Crabb]

U.S. under terrorist attack
How is Logan County affected?

[SEPT. 11, 2001]  The terrorist attacks that have destroyed New York’s World Trade Center buildings and part of the Pentagon, shut down air traffic in the United States and Canada, closed trading on Wall Street, and brought military bases throughout the country on high alert are being monitored closely here in Logan County.

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"Now when we talk about being prepared for terrorist attacks, people will understand better what we’ve been working toward," he added

He said the local ESDA has put in requests for state funding for specialized terrorism equipment and training for the next three years, and that he now intends to ask for funding for the next six years.

[Joan Crabb]

Announcements

LCHS budget hearing and board meeting on Monday

[SEPT. 14, 2001]  A public hearing on the 2001-2002 budgets of the Lincoln Community High School and Lincolnland Technical Education Center, as well as a regular meeting of the Lincoln Community High School District 404 Board of Education, will be on Monday, Sept. 17, in the Instructional Materials Center at LCHS. The budget hearing will be at 6:45 p.m. and the board meeting at 7 p.m.

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