Page 3 - PGA Community News - September '22

September 2022 September 2022 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 3
From The Editor: United We Stand…

I was in Manhattan shifts through May, 2002 to provide solace, comfort and care Like many others who volunteered their time, the poet
recently. The skyline has for 2,000 workers each day. St. Paul’s Chapel’s steeple rose discovered what he took away from this place of extraordinary
changed in Lower Manhattan above the death and destruction of “Ground Zero” – itself ministry was far greater than what he brought in.
since September 11, 2001. covered in dust and debris. St. Paul’s became the spiritual For an hour I was transported back in time. Another
The World Trade Center home of the relief effort and served meals, offered beds, memorial remains from the families and friends who
Twin Towers and 5 other counseled and prayed with firefighters, construction workers, desperately sought to locate their loved ones. Photographs
buildings have been replaced. police officers and family and friends of victims. Medical were posted with messages such as “Please call me if you
A memorial and museum to personnel, massage therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists and see my sister” along with a phone number. There are faces
those killed in the attacks, even musicians transformed the Chapel into a sanctuary of of a variety of persons of all ages, races and religions who
a new rapid transit hub, hope and healing. Cards, flags, teddy bears, prayers and many entered the World Trade Center the morning of September
and an elevated park have other mementos were sent from all over the world. There is 11, 2001. Most of us wiped a tear away as we viewed the
been opened. The memorial a display entitled, “Healing Hearts and Minds” of a police photos and prayed for the victims and their loved ones.
features two square reflecting pools in the center marking uniform with police and firefighter patches sent from all over Again I looked at my watch and realized I had to return to
where the Twin Towers stood. One World Trade Center, at the world topped by a British Bobby’s helmet. the airport for my flight back to Florida. I flagged a taxi and
1,776 feet (541 m) and the lead building for the new complex, I read a poem about St. Paul’s Chapel written by one of within 25 minutes we were approaching my airplane terminal
was completed in May 2013 and opened in November 2014. the volunteers, J. Chester Johnson: at LaGuardia Airport. The sun was shining brightly amidst a
On a visit to the area, I looked to my right and saw the clear blue sky. As we drove around a taxi dispatch building
cemetery adjoining St. Paul’s Chapel. The last time I was here It stood. Not a window broken. Not a stone dislodged. with hundreds of taxis awaiting the arriving air travelers, I
was 1978 when I worked in Tower Two of the World Trade It stood when nothing else did. noticed to my left 4 taxi drivers on their knees behind the
Center on the 47th Floor. I was a legal intern for the New York It stood when terrorists brought September down. building praying to Mecca. To my right was the direction
State Attorney General in the environmental law department. It stood among myths. It stood among ruins. of the Lower Manhattan skyline with the new World Trade
I would walk through the cemetery and read the gravestones Center Tower One building reclaiming its prominence. I
from the 18th century. St. Paul’s Chapel opened in 1766. To stand was its purpose, long lines prove that. reflected on the prayer an hour earlier at St. Paul’s Chapel
Later President George Washington took the oath of office It stands, and around it now, a shrine of letters, in which we implored God to forgive the hatred that divides
to become the first President of the United States in Federal poems, acrostics, litter of the heart. nation from nation, race from race, class from class, religion
Hall and then walked to St. Paul’s Chapel to attend services. It is the standing people want: from religion. We prayed that God would make all people
The pew has been preserved where President Washington To grieve, serve and tend aware that He is present in all of us – even those who differ
worshipped. celebrate the lasting stone of St. Paul’s Chapel. from most of us. We prayed that humanity will stop using
I now found myself again in a Chapel that has withstood God to divide us and, instead, realize God unites us.
two tragedies – the Great Fire of 1776 which destroyed Trinity And deep into its thick breath, the largest banner Please honor those affected by the tragedy of September
Church (a short distance away) and the September 11, 2001 fittingly from Oklahoma climbs heavenward 11, 2001 whether in New York, Washington DC or
destruction of the World Trade Center. I entered the Chapel with hands as stars, hands as stripes, hands as a flag; Shanksville, Pennsylvania by pausing for a few minutes to
as the Vicar announced the commencement of the daily 12:30 and a rescuer reaches for a stuffed toy remember them.
p.m. Prayers for Peace. The Chapel bell tolled in four sets to collect a touch; Until next month…
of five bells – the New York Fire Department’s signal for a and George Washington’s pew doesn’t go unused. James A. Cioffi, Editor,
fallen comrade. I entered a pew as the scripture reading began. james@jcclaw.com
We prayed for peace, fellowship, reconciliation, forgiveness, Charity fills a hole or two.
thanksgiving, the victims of the World Trade Center 2001
attack and the rescue workers – many of whom gave their It stood in place of other sorts.
lives to save others. It stood when nothing else could.
I looked around the Chapel during the service and saw The great had fallen, as the brute hardware came down.
memorials to the 2001 tragedy.
I was not aware that 14,000 volunteers worked 12 hour It stood.

Enjoy comfort classics by
multiple James Beard Award nominee
Chef Lindsay Autry Lunch Prix Fixe Menu
Monday - Friday
30 pp ++
Happy Hour
Monday - Friday Dinner Prix Fixe Menu
4 - 6 pm Monday - Sunday
Bar & Lounge 48 pp ++

Modern, shared-plate style steakhouse
helmed by James Beard nominee
“Top Chef” winner, Chef Jeremy Ford.

Hours
Tuesday - Saturday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

561.627.4852
For Private Dining or Group Dining Dinner Prix Fixe Menu
Reservations Tuesday - Saturday
sara.jacoby@pgaresort.com 65 pp ++

400 Avenue of the Champions | Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 800.863.2819 | reservations@pgaresort.com | @pganational