Madera Remembers 911 Committee
PO BOX 1050
Madera, CA 93638-1050

For Immediate Release:
August 26, 2002

MADERANS TO COMMEMORATE SEPTEMBER 11 IN DOWNTOWN MADERA

On Wednesday Sept. 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m., hundreds of Maderans will gather at Courthouse Park, on Yosemite Avenue to honor the memory of the victims of the of last year’s terrorists attacks on America. The “Madera Remembers 911” community event is supported by Mayor Gary Svanda, the Madera County Board of Supervisors, the Madera District Chamber of Commerce, the Madera Ministerial Association, the Madera County Arts Council, Veterans of Foreign War Post 1981, American Legion Madera Post 11, The Madera Historical Society, the Madera Unified School District, the Madera County Office of Education and the Madera Lions Clubs.

District Attorney Ernie LiCalsi will deliver the keynote speech, alongside Mayor Gary Svanda, Madera County Supervisor Frank Bigelow, members of the Madera Ministerial Association and many other local dignitaries. A large stone monument in memory of the September 11 victims will be dedicated, followed by patriotic songs, a benediction and a 21 gun salute and playing of Taps by the VFW Post 1981.

The Madera High School Band and Madera’s own Second Take Singers will perform sacred and patriotic music. Children from Madera’s school will write letters to the families of the victims of 911 and will send them to the mayors of New York City and Washington DC. This historical community gathering will be very well attended and it is strongly recommended that people bring their own chairs. The service is scheduled to last more than 90 minutes.

Donations to fund the monument will be accepted at the ceremony. Donations can also be sent to the Madera Ministerial Association, P.O. Box 16, Madera, CA 93639. Any money received over the cost of the monument will be donated to the Nancy Clute Memorial Fund for Madera Cultural Center. For details on donations, please contact Pastor Randy Brannon at Grace Community Church 674-1172.

Many thanks to Venturi House of Music for providing the use of a sound system, to Jay Chapel for funding the production of the evening’s program, to the Bridge Store for their donations and to workingarts Marketing for their design work.

Event information and downloadable flier will soon be available from the Madera Chamber of Commerce website at www.maderachamber.com, or at the Chamber office at 120 North E Street, 559-673-3563. For more event details, please contact Frederic Martin at fredo@workingarts.com or call 559-662-1119.