Memorial honors Sept. 11 victims

Residents mourn lost loved ones

By Rasheed Oluwa
Poughkeepsie Journal

 

Lori O'Toole/For the Poughkeepsie Journal Nancy Yambem weeps as she speaks of her husband, Jupiter, and their life together Sunday at a ceremony honoring Sept. 11 victims at Memorial Park in Beacon.

BEACON -- Nancy Yambem cried during Sunday's memorial service at Memorial Park in Beacon.

She's attended and spoken at a number of services and programs recognizing her husband, Jupiter, and the other victims of the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack.

But, whether it's six months, eight months or a year later, her reality remains the same.

''It's hard for me to imagine what other people think because it's a daily bombardment for me,'' she said. ''It's hard to put it on the side when it's a daily part of my life.''

Several community leaders, including Mayor Clara Lou Gould and members of American Legion Post 203 in Beacon, joined Yambem and her 6-year-old son, Santi, at Sunday's service.

The event was organized by the Concerned Citizens for a Better Beacon Coalition, a community advocacy service for Beacon residents.

Dennis Pavelock, a member the group, said he organized the event for Aug. 11 to prevent scheduling conflicts with one-year anniversary events.

''They took our buildings, they took our people, but, they didn't take our freedom,'' said Dennis Pavelock, a member of the coalition. ''America is still the land of the brave.''

Muslim leader attends

Imam Salahuddin Muhammad, of the Islamic Learning Center of Orange County, said a prayer during the event. He said it was important for him to attend, not only as a Beacon resident, but as a Muslim.

''It's important to be here to give support to those people who lost family members and to show solidarity,'' Muhammad said.

Yambem is grateful. ''It's kind of my chance to say thank you for the support,'' Yambem said. ''I think it's important for them to know that everything they've done is appreciated.''

Cynthia Chambers lost her sister-in-law, Virginia Fox-Chambers, who was working in the World Trade Center when the first plane struck.

Chambers said her family has attended few memorials since the tragedy.

''I don't think it makes it easier,'' she said. She wore a shirt with Virginia's picture on it. ''But, it's good to see that there are other people who are thinking about you.''