FROM THE EDITOR
TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioner William A. Bamford III Commissioner G. Lorraine Bamford CHIEF SECRETARY Colonel Philip J. Maxwell COMMUNICATION SECRETARY Lt. Colonel Kathleen J. Steele EDITOR IN CHIEF Warren L. Maye MANAGING EDITOR Robert Mitchell EDITOR / HISPANIC CORRESPONDENT Hugo Bravo ART DIRECTOR Reginald Raines PUBLICATION MANAGING DESIGNER Lea La Notte Greene GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Keri Johnson, Joe Marino, Mabel Zorzano
The cost of remembering 9/11
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lulu Rivera CIRCULATION Doris Marasigan
THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
WARREN L. MAYE Editor in Chief
Member since 2015 Award winner 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020
SACONNECTS is published six times per year by The Salvation Army USA’s Eastern Territory. Bulk rate is $12.00 per issue for 25–100 copies. Single subscriptions are available. Write to: SACONNECTS, The Salvation Army, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. Vol. 7, No. 3, 2021. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send all address changes to: SACONNECTS, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. SACONNECTS accepts advertising. Copyright ©2021 by The Salvation Army, USA Eastern Territory. Articles may be reprinted only with written permission. All scripture references are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless indicated otherwise.
To see how we’ve honored Salvation Army officers, employees, and volunteers who were first responders at Ground Zero, scan this QR code and go to our 9/11 10th anniversary special issue of Priority! magazine online.
www.saconnects.org | @saconnects
COVID–19 has threatened every aspect of our lives, which today includes our promise to never forget the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Since the pandemic hit, crowds that would have visited the memorial, the museum, and the One World Trade Observatory in Manhattan, have diminished. The 9/11 museum is largely dependent on ticket sales. Last year, its “temporary closure and limited capacity left the institution with an $18 million deficit,” reported The New York Times. The financial impact has significantly reduced the budget for this year's 20th anniversary memorial service to be held at Ground Zero. As a result, the museum has laid off 60 percent of its exhibitions department staff, and none of the nonprofit organizations that helped after 9/11—including The Salvation Army—are being invited to participate in the official commemoration ceremony. The organizing committee has decided that such groups are among the “special anniversary programming” that had to be cut. “Leadership has put together the best possible plan to navigate this extraordinary challenging time,” said Marc La Vorgna, a representative of the curators. He said such a plan was necessary to maintain the mission of the museum. Nonetheless, 20 years ago The Salvation Army made a promise to never forget what happened on 9/11. Despite budget cuts or whatever else might get in the way, we promised to never forget. So, this year is the most important observance so far. To assume that our memories of the events of 9/11 will last without an intentional effort to keep them alive would be a mistake. We must and we will stand and be counted among the first responders to arrive at Ground Zero; offer extraordinary support; and in the aftermath, be among the last to leave. In this issue of SACONNECTS, we’ll include a recent visit to the new One World Trade Center tower and reflect on what happened, share testimonies from people who were children on 9/11, and look back at the Salvation Army's response to other recent disasters as part of its traditional and ongoing ministry. Join us, as we fulfill our promise, regardless of the cost.
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