Habitat builds in remembrance of 9/11
The National Day of Remembrance drew more than 70 volunteers to Georgetown to build a house for a local couple on a day set aside to remember the victims of Sept. 11, 2001.
Former New York firefighter and an emergency responder on 9/11 Al Weir told the crowd to remember all the victims of the terrorist attacks, including the hundreds of first responders who lost their lives trying to save others. Weir said he hoped the National Day of Remembrance continues every year on Sept. 11.
In attendance during the day-long build were Sen. Joe Booth, R-Georgetown and Norman Spicer, father of slain Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer. Norman volunteered his time during the morning to help build a new home for Julian Roblero and Blanca Perez.
The couple was also on-site, helping put up the walls of what will be their new home. They said they heard about Habitat for Humanity through friends and cousins. A few phone calls and meetings later they were signed up and ready to help build their new home in Georgetown Point. The couple has a daughter and another one on the way, so they were excited to help nail up walls on the home in which they will soon raise their family.
Presenting the colors during a morning ceremony was the Sussex Tech Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. In the afternoon Sussex County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kevin Gilmore spoke and soloist Cathy Gorman sang "God Bless America."
Gilmore said volunteerism is a part of the American spirit that still shines in the decade after the terrorist attacks. He urged all the volunteers to continue their good work in the community and to remember that America is still a great place to raise a family.
The event was part of a Corporation for National and Community Service challenge. Habitat's event is in the running for a $10,000 grant for remembering Sept. 11, 2001, during the National Day of Service.
Kim Stockley of Habitat for Humanity said the group submitted a grant proposal for the $10,000 and will find out later this month if they won. The National Day of Remembrance build in Georgetown should help raise awareness of Habitat and could go a long way toward winning the grant money, said Stockley. If the group wins, the money will be funneled back into the community through more housing projects in Sussex County, she said.
