READER VIEWS

READER VIEWS
Sept. 11
The Vindicator asked its hundreds of News Contacts for their thoughts about the anniversary's extensive media coverage and how the date should be marked:
I visited ground zero on July 5 of this year. There were throngs of people looking at this site. All looked on with reverence and in silence. Even small children were quiet. There were no signs posted around this hallowed ground regarding how one should conduct oneself. It seemed that everyone there instinctively knew that silence was the best way to pay homage to our lost heroes. On the anniversary of their death, I think that we, as much as life will allow us, should look on this day with reverence and in silence.
Eve Christopher
Liberty
The media, radio and television, should plan some special type of simultaneous remembrance. Everyone able to do so should take to the streets on that morning and make all of the noise possible. Bells, whistles, horns and anything that is loud. Every church in the city should ring their bells. This will say to everyone, "We are still a very strong nation."
Frances L. Singleton
Youngstown
The United States needs to get over 9/11 soon, and should have already, but we as a country seem to dwell on bad news and feed upon it. The terrorists won that day, and let's kick their butts and move on! There will be so much stuff on TV and radio on 9/11/02 it will be overwhelming. Move on people!
Jeff Sprinkle
Boardman
I believe the extensive coverage from the press ... will help people remember all that took place on that terrible day. Extensive news coverage is needed to help American citizens remember all those victims who suffered and died. I hope there is an excessive amount of news coverage. I believe the date should be marked with a moment of silence for one minute at the same time all across the U.S.A.
Samantha Leskovec
Girard
I would prefer more of a low-key, solemn remembrance of the event. It should be a day for mourning the passage of thousands of innocent people and the loss of America as we knew it then. However, it should also mark the birth of a renewed and stronger America, willing to stand up for freedom and fight terrorism throughout the world. Many heroes came out of that tragedy and we need to remember those heroes on that day (police, fire, soldiers).
Steve Kristan
Canfield
I think we should do the same as we do on Memorial Day; all banks close, post office, etc. Everyone fly their flags half-mast, tie flags to their cars for the day.
Rose Patterson
Struthers
A national moment of silent prayer for the victims of this tragedy, their families and the government of this great nation would be an appropriate tribute to commemorate the anniversary of that black day.
Bessie Gallagher
Youngstown
That was such a difficult day for a great number of people. I am sure it's more difficult for those who lost loved ones. Why put them through that pain again? People ought to be able to live out their grief in peace and not have it shoved down their throats by the media.
Rocco V. Wellington Sr.
Akron, formerly of Youngstown
I think Sept. 11 should be remembered, but not as extensive as some news shows are going to cover it. There should be a moment of silence around the time that it happened, but all-day news coverage is not necessary. I think those who lost loved ones, co-workers, friends, etc., are still grieving. Continuing to show what happened, how, why, etc. isn't helping the situation. It just brings back the memories and, not that we want to forget, but, there is healing still needing to take place and that should be respected.
Kathy Johnson
Lisbon
While 9/11 was a terrible thing, there has been so much consistent coverage of it in all the media that a one-page article should suffice. We cannot bring these people back nor should we forget them. But you can also overdo the coverage, as well-meaning as it is meant to be, and forever linger in this void between normalcy and hysteria.
Corrie Verhoek
Youngstown
I think we have seen enough news coverage showing the devastating scenes of the former World Trade Center towers on fire, the planes crashing into the towers, and the people running and jumping for their lives. We do not need to keep replaying these scenes on television. The families of these victims have suffered enough. Instead of reliving the events of 9/11, we should do coverage on families of victims surviving post-Sept. 11.
Christina Morse
Cortland
If you have an e-mail address and would like to become a Vindicator News Contact, let us know. Periodically we send e-mails asking our contacts for their views on news and issues. Please type "Contact" into the subject line and send us your e-mail address, name, the town where you live and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes to newscontacts@vindy.com.