From left to right, Dave Mork, Elmer Mork and Kipha Valvoda put together the framing for the front set of new doors at the American Legion Hall on Saturday. Two pairs of doors were installed in the front and in back as part of a 9/11 service and memorial day organized by the Legion Auxiliary.
The local American Legion unit held a day of service and remembrance over the weekend, dedicated to the September 11 attacks.
The American Legion Auxiliary of Alaska Unit #6 was awarded a $1,000 grant this summer from the national organization, one of 50 such awards provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The funds would go toward projects across the country, held between September 8 and 13 in memory of those involved in the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Nineteen men affiliated with the al-Qaeda terrorist organization had on that day hijacked four passenger jets with the intention of crashing them into American landmarks. Two of the flights were used to attack the North and South towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, and a fourth headed for Washington D.C. was crashed into a field outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, during an attempt to retake the plane by passengers. In all, 2,996 people were killed, another 6,000 injured, and both New York towers completely destroyed.
To remember those lost and those who had risen to the occasion during that tragedy, CNCS began its day of service and remembrance to support veterans groups, attack survivors and victims' families. As part of the 2017 program, $50,000 was provided to the American Legion Auxiliary for distribution to its local chapters. About 100 applications were received by the group, and Wrangell's was one of 50 selected for funding.
For its project Wrangell's group wanted to replace the double doors located at the front and the back of its hall.
"It's been on the backburner, and it's kind of been an expensive deal," Auxiliary treasurer Zona Gregg said of the door project. "Our doors are a fire exit. We felt it was related."
In addition to the CNCS grant, the Auxiliary also received a grant from First Bank for $3,000. Additional fundraising over the course of the summer helped bring together enough funds to cover the doors' installation, at just under $6,000. Alaska Marine Lines assisted with shipping the new doors, and City Market provided materials for a luncheon held afterward.
With some preparatory work done beforehand, on Saturday Legion members and various supporters in the community came together to take down and replace the old double-doors. Additional projects were also undertaken, such as the moving of bookshelves done by a group of high school girls.
"We had some really good help and a really good turnout," said Gregg.
Afterward, the Auxiliary chaplain, Donna McKay, led a prayer and moment of silence in memory of the 2001 attacks. After some remarks by Merlin Elmer Palmer commander Chuck Petticrew, the gathering enjoyed a burger and hot dog lunch.
"The whole community has participated in supporting us," Gregg said afterward.
For its part, the ALA has for nearly a century supported the country's military personnel, veterans and their dependents. The group is seen as being the world's largest women's patriotic service organization, and each year provides millions of volunteer hours on various programs and projects.
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