The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 38

FIRST EDITION A10 Pantagraph Tuesday, September 12, 2006 www.pantagraph.com Aunt tells of her pain of loss in Sept. 11 death Fair opens opporimiities "'71 r-v 'lit- -II. t- -n awifirmrtum miiii 1 1.1, 1 1 will impact us long term but we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The Lincoln College Museum is one of a handful of sites 'to have a piece of girder from Tower One. The girder has been on display since 2002, along with items Chan's family placed in the museum's care. On Monday, the museum unveiled a new.

addition: a satellite photo of ground zero taken a few days after the attack. Keller recalled that when the girder was unveiled, "there were gasps, anger and tears, but this is a physical reminder and a tribute to all that have died, and we have heartfelt sympathies for all the families today." Chan was born and raised in Peoria and attended the University of Illinois before moving to New York to work on the 105th floor of Tower One as a bond trader. "He was just so comfortable there in New and always talked about how he had a phenomenal view of the city," said Pardieck. A year after the attacks, Pardieck said the rest of the Chan family went back for a memorial service and even retraced the steps Chan would have taken to such places as' to his favorite restaurants throughout the city. "For a moment, they were all together again," she said.

There has been no DNA match confirming any remains as Chan's, but Pardieck said the family hopes every day that there will be a match someday. "I am here tonight to honor my nephew and send our deepest appreciation to everyone for their prayers and help throughout these times," said Pardieck. "Our hope lasted for days that we would connect again with Chip and that somehow everything would be OK. It was just a whirlwind of uncertainty, hope and pain." PantagraphLORI ANN COOK Above: David White, Bloominqton Police Department public affairs officer, speaks with Lyndsy Simpson of Bloomington about opportunities with the department at the career fair at the McLean County Museum of History on Monday afternoon. Below: Kayliegh Thornton, left, and Courtney Manns, right, both of Bloomington, search for job opportunities at the career fair J---FL said Mills, a retired Marine sergeant.

He and retired Army Lt. Col. Reginald Bernard were the chief organizers. They took a year to plan it. The fair on the first and second floors of the McLean County Museum of History featured booths and-tables set up by businesses in insurance, financial services, construction, semitrailer-truck driving, security and law enforcement.

"I was glad to have a lot of good jobs in one place," said Chris Rufus, 20, of Normal. He said it was better than looking online. "They get a good view of you," he said of recruiters at the fair. "You can explain your situation." One the busier tables belonged to Nestle USA's Bloom- I or- 1 -a- "People are looking for production work," he said. "We hire quite infrequently.

We have very low turnover," Sauer said. il By Connie Seastedt seastedtfamilyUyahoo.com LINCOLN Dr. Sherrie Chan. Pardieck spent most of Sept. 11, 2001, on the phone, making a network of calls to members of her family throughout the United States.

The one call they all hoped to receive or make, however, didn't happen. That was to her nephew, Chip Chan, who was killed in the collapse of World Trade Center Tower One. "That most important call never came. Our calls remained unanswered," Pardieck said. Pardieck, of Peoria, spoke to around 75 peo ple Monday at Lincoln College at a ceremony sponsored by that college and Lincoln Christian College and Seminary.

While she spoke of her Sherrie Chan Pardieck nephews death, faculty members also spoke of the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Ron Keller, associate professor of history at Lincoln College, led the service. "It has been five years now since the unthinkable, the unbearable, and the unheard-of happened. The images will be seared in our minds forever. This is a time of trial for the families of the 3,000 victims of 911." Brian Messner, Lincoln Christian College history professor, recalled that day as well.

"On 911 1 was home with my 16-month-old when my wife informed me that the first tower fell," he said. "I had to turn off the TV as it was too horrific to watch. "Then I returned and was stunned, because the world I had known had changed," he said. "It's 'too early to determine how the current crisis lilt .....1 in liW and he could be seen mouthing "God bless you" as he embraced them. At an observance near the Pentagon, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H.

Rumsfeld strode side by side to a speaker's platform. Rumsfeld appeared to struggle with his emotions as he recalled the day of the attacks, and Cheney vowed resolve: "We have no intention of ignoring or appeasing history's latest gang of fanatics trying to murder their way to power." The day was marked with reminders of the sometimes tense new reality that settled on the nation, and particularly its transportation systems, after the attacks five years ago. New York's bustling Pennsylvania Station was briefly evacuated because of a suspicious duffel bag that turned out to be holding only trash. And a jet bound for San Francisco was diverted to Dallas after a backpack and "handheld e-mail device were found on board. Both items were pronounced harmless.

And lest anyone forget the terrorists responsible for the day, al-Qaida's second in command warned of forthcoming strikes in the Persian Gulf and against Israel in a new video Monday It was one of three al-Qaida videos released around the 9-11 anniversary. 4 i 1 1 1 By Sharon K.Wolfe BLOOMINGTON A Vietnam veteran went to the Patriot Day career and benefits fair on Monday not knowing what to expect. He ended up leaving the event with more than he drfcamed of. 'He was thrilled. He shook our hands about four times said David Benck-endorf, a veterans' service officer with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

The man, who served in Vietnam for a year, learned that he eligible for veterans' medical benefits because his diabetes could be related to exposure to Agent Orange, said John Walker, also veterans' service officer. He also qualified for a monthly stipend. "Many vets don't know what they're entitled to," said Ed Dennis, a veterans' representative for the Illinois Department oHEmployment Security. The man, who was not identified by the officials at the fair, wjs among hundreds of people who attended the fair as part of commemoration ceremonies fof the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Representatives from more than 30 businesses and sotial service agencies were on hand to talk to people about job opportunities and to veterans and their families about benefits. The event also honored businesses and agencies that are especially helpful to people who have served or are serving in the military. The job fair was open to anyone, regardless of whether they served in uniform. Word of the Vietnam veteran's story pleased event organizer Mick Mills, a veterans' representative with the Illinois Department of Employment Security. "If you serve one veteran that way, all of this is worth it," State orders flags flown at half-staff By Megan Relchgott ASSOCIATED PRESS CHICAGO The Sept.

1 1 terrorist attacks made Americans feel vulnerable, but state officials have worked for five years to: prevent similar disasters from happening in Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Monday. Illinois has dedicated more resources to homeland' security; including a new emergency operations center in Springfield, Blagojevich said before joining firefighters, police officers and Illinois National Guardsmen for Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Throughout the state Monday, which Blagojevich declared a "Day of Remembrance," Illinoisans marked the fifth anniversary of the attacks with mostly simple, patriotic ceremonies. Chicago firefighters and their families gathered Monday evening for a lakeside ceremony and reading of the roll call of 343 New York firefighters who died responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center.

"These are the real, true heroes," Mayor Richard Daley said. "We must always keep their memories alive." The bravery of the fallen was a theme repeated throughout the day. "Five years ago today, life changed for every American," Blagojevich said before observing a moment of silence at 7:46 a.m. CDT, the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center in New York. "Not only did we gain a new understanding of our vulnerabilities and the brutal consequences of hate, but we also witnessed remarkable bravery and selflessness." Pat Shanower of Naperville, whose son, Navy Cmdr.

Dan Shanower died when a jet slammed into the Pentagon, said Monday was difficult, but scholarships that have been established in her son's name have helped her deal with the tragedy. "I do think people are trying to stress the positive," she said. Lt. Col. Jim Williams was among dozens of people from Scott Air Force Base who gathered at Mascoutah Elementary School about 30 miles east of St.

Louis to watch Cub Scouts raise the U.S. flag, sing "God Bless America" and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Williams said he remembered firefighters and police officers, who he called the "unsung heroes." "Yes, I'm in the military and defend the country, but only in certain times," Williams said. "They do this every day." 1 "'-I lit J. Ill" (lt il ington candy manufacturing plant.

Charles Sauer, the plant's head of human resources, estimated about 75 people filled out applications. said Carmen Suarez, wife of city police officer Ramon Suarez, killed five years ago at the World Trade Center. And this from Linda Litto, who lost husband Vincent Litto: "As I said 31 years ago tomorrow, 1 will love you and honor you all the days of our life. Happy anniversary, my love." On a crisp, sunny day not unlike the morning of the attacks, family members descended into the pit 70 feet below ground where the towers stood, tearfully laying wreaths and roses in the skyscrapers' footprints. The mournful sound of bagpipes, so familiar from the seemingly endless funerals that followed Sept.

11, echoed across ground zero after a choir performed the-national anthem. The ritual has changed little since the first anniversary of the attacks, and in many ways the site has remained the same as well. Squabbles over design and security have caused long delays in the project to rebuild at ground zero. Only this year did construction start on a Sept. 11 memorial and the Freedom Tower, which is not expected to be finished for five more years.

At dusk, officials planned to turn on a memorial light display in lower Manhat Associated PressJUSTIN LANE A view of the World Trade Center site, including one of two reflecting pools, bottom center, is seen Monday at the Sept. 11, 2001, commemoration ceremony in New York. litany of the dead recalls 911 REMEMBERING FROM Al Below the U.S. flag, a rifle stood barrel-down in a stack of sandbags. A second flag lay folded on the bags, boots were in front of the bags and a desert camouflage-covered helmet rested on top of the butt of the gun.

John Felkamp, of Bloomington, said the rifle and helmet immediately reminded him of his brother, who died in Vietnam 36 years ago. He also thought of "the fact that there's a price we pay for the freedom we've got," he said. The event included a job fair that also provided benefits information for veterans. Mick Mills, coordinator of the. event, said organizers wanted to help veterans find employment and honor the employers who do help veterans.

Many of the people at the ceremony came not only to pay tribute to those killed, but also to honor troops currently fighting overseas. "I served my country in World War II, and I think citizens should serve their, country today and especially honor the young men overseas," said Budd Fairfield, of rural Bloomington. Fairfield said people need to remember the patriotism of those killed in the attacks and the firefighters and police officers who died trying to save others. People also should respect the president's leadership and unity of the country, he added. Asked about seeing two sudden attacks on the United States in his life, Fairfield said: "This was somewhat similar to Pearl Harbor a shock to the nation.

And we recall liberty must constantly be defended." Dennis Maier, of Bloomington, said he came to the event to honor the people killed Sept. 11, 2001, those affected by the attack and the troops serving overseas. The Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran said he doesn't typically like large crowds, but it is different when the gathering is to support military members. During the ceremony, motorcycles filled Jefferson Street on the courthouse's north side, and riders and passengers carrying U.S. flags walked them to the courthouse lawn and planted them in flag holders between the state flags.

Dunn said her husband, Brian, was in the parade of motorcyclists who traveled from the Interstate Center on West Market Street to the courthouse. Two grade-school age boys and their teacher from a Grace United Methodist Church Sunday school class read letters sent to a Marine while she served in Iraq. The letters thanked her for fighting for them and said the children were praying for her. The Marine, Sgt. Victoria Bellman, thanked the boys and said the letters would make her smile when nothing else would.

"It meant a lot, and it would make me smile," Bellman said. III 'tttttllt 1 tan, sending beams of blue light skyward in a glowing silhouette of the twin towers. President Bush laid a wreath at the Shanksville, field where United Flight 93 crashed, and privately greeted relatives of the 40 people killed there. Standing without umbrellas in a cold rain, he and first lady Laura Bush bowed their heads for a prayer and the singing of "Amazing Grace." "One moment, ordinary citizens, and the next, heroes forever," retired Gen. Tommy Franks said, alluding to the Flight 93 passengers who apparently fought the hijackers and forced them to crash the plane into the ground.

"We mourn their loss, to be sure, but we also celebrate their victory here in the first battle on terrorism." President Bush ate breakfast with New York firefighters, and a day earlier walked ground zero and laid wreaths in reflecting pools that symbolized the north and south towers. After visiting Shanksville on Monday, the president and first lady placed a wreath near a plaque on the outside of the Pentagon, where American Airlines Flight 77 claimed 184 lives and tore a gash in the building. Bush appeared teary-eyed as he greeted victims' family members around him, Jt, lllO' By Amy Westfeldt and Erin McClam ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK Clutching photos to their hearts and blowing kisses to the sky, tearful loved ones of Sept. 11 victims recited a 3 'a -hour litany of the lost Monday, the names echoing across an expanse still largely barren five years after terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center. At the Pentagon and on a wind-swept Pennsylvania field, and in simpler, quiet moments in airport security lines, at churches or by themselves, Americans paused to reflect on the worst terrorist act on U.S.

soil. The centerpiece of the commemorations was the mostly barren 16-acre expanse at ground zero, where four mo-ments of silence were observed to mark the precise times jetliners crashed into the twin towers and the skyscrapers crumbled to the ground. The achingly familiar task of reading the names of the 2,749 trade center victims fell this year to their husbands, wives and partners, who personalized the roll call with heartbreaking tributes to the loves of their lives. "If I could build a staircase to heaven, I would, just so I could quickly run up there to have you back in my arms,".