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Pocono News Section
Growing Peace in 9/11 Garden
Growing Peace in 9/11 Garden - Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 3:15PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 @ 03:15pm EST
TANNERSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY - When you strip away the flags, and the songs, and the politicians you see the scars of September 11th. They are real people who live with the pain every day.
You could hear the sound of suffering in Tannersville Thursday.
A song of silence.
Seven years since that September day.
"It gives me hope when I come here," said Colleen Onacillla of Reeders.
Each year people are drawn to the 9/11 Memorial Garden in Tannersville.
There are no invitations.
No speeches.
No Senators.
Just survivors.
"We all share the pain. People understand the way you feel seven years down the road, this is the only place you can find it," said Scott Harm.
Harm helped with rescue and recovery efforts. "It's a place where we don't forget," he explained.
Onacilla watched the towers fall at her feet. "I remember stopping and just praying that it would end quick," she recalled.
Elizabeth Neals was on the 84th floor of Tower Two when the plane hit. She said, "I don't know how I got out, but I got out."
They and other survivors planted the garden after the attacks. "It was creating something living in the ashes of what had died," said Onacilla.
Now they visit each year.
Their tears do most of the talking. As they try to remember the sun shines behind the clouds. "This place is peace," remarked Onacilla.
Though they suffer, they are strong and they will survive.
"Bent but not broken, scarred but still whole," said Onacilla.
One member of that group died Tuesday. Her name is Terry Hillard. Her friends say she died from a lung disease brought on by breathing dust and debris after she escaped the world trade center.
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