3rd Annual 9/11 Remembrance Event:
“An Unforgettable Evening of Tribute and Inspiration”
Note of Gratitude from SJW
An Open Letter of Gratitude to Cast, Crew and Supporters
Dear Friends,
A very important thing that I have wanted to do again this year following our incredible 9/11 Remembrance Event is to send out this heartfelt “THANK YOU” to every single person who helped make this monumental evening possible.
As last year, there are so many stories behind the success of this year’s “Visible and Invisible Costs of Freedom” event. Each one of you played a critical role in creating a night with 3 Standing Ovations that many have told us will never be forgotten.
Let me first thank Mayor of Mukilteo, Joe Marine, who found time during the 3 day Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival that weekend to once again be our incredible Master of Ceremonies. Also, a big ‘Thank You” to Mayor of Everett, Cassie Franklin, for taking time out of her busy schedule to share her thoughts about 9/11 with our Audience members.
Also, Capt. Stacy Wuthier and the Color Guard from Naval Station Everett again grounded in the reverence and respect attributed to our evening with the Pledge Allegiance, National Anthem and God Bless America.
Of course. Jack Kiltzman, the Musical Director of the Seattle Theater Group and leader of Seattle’s Jaz Alley “Nearly Dan” rejoined us this year. Year’s earlier, Jack was the band director for Everett’s 20 year “Christmas Spectacular” (2001-2020) that was created in 2001 to support the Volunteers of America Food Bank. Jack and the band provided the musical basis for our 2024, 2025 and again 2026 9/11 events. (BTW – Jack also holds a PhD in immunology).
Dehner Franks, pianist, singer and composer extraordinaire, has not only been a principal figure in our 9/11 Remembrance Event 2024, 2025 and 2026 but year’s earlier, along with Jack Kitzman, played a major role in the Christmas Spectacular (2001-2020). It was for the Christmas Spectacular that he composed and performed “What is the Cost of Freedom” and “Vengan Con Migo” that has been an important feature of all 9/11 Events in 2024, 2025 and this year, 2026.
Monet Pelluer, an outstanding theatrical performer at Newport High School in Bellevue, has performed as our “Spirit of Freedom” in 2024 and 2025 but again this year, 2026. We were particularly honored that she took time away from her new University to fly up from California to be with us this year.
As mentioned in Cassie Franklin’s talk, the Terrorist Attacks on the North and South Towers of the World trade Centers on 9/11 brought about 2,700 deaths – plus those killed in the Pentagon – along with First responders that included 344 NYFD officers, 71 law enforcement officers and 55 military personnel at the Pentagon. Because of the deaths of 344 NY FD members, it was important to present Charles-Henri Avelange, a prior Cast Member in 2024 and 2025 – but this year as the composer of the 1st Fireman’s Prayer Anthem in the history of America. An Anthem that he created as a 23yo French Immigrant staying in a daylight basement on the Mukilteo Blvd, in Everett Washington in 2007. An anthem that was finally recorded this past May and July, 20 years later, by the Grammy Winning Masters and Children’s Chorales plus the 90-member symphony at Sony Pictures Studio. Special awards were given onstage to Sharon Holycross, who’s father wrote the Fireman’s Prayer in 1957 and Deborah Wright, how provided the daylight basement to Charles-Henri Avelange.
Our speakers this year, who followed the presentation of the Fireman’s Prayer Anthem, were very special, beginning with Dan Matthews. Certainly, his credentials of 22 years with the United States Airforce and 30+ years as a commercial airlines pilot validated him as the one to share with us details of the terrorists. And we should never forget his repeated warnings regarding the 9/11 Attack: “Never Forget! Be Prepared!”.
Our new speaker this year was Joshua Elliott, who walked onstage assisted by his two prosthetic legs. Legs from the knees down were vaporized by an IED in Afghanistan. No doubt, he brought to our attention, the Subtitle of our Event: “The Visible Cost of “Freedom”. And we learned that he only survived to be our speaker because of the effective double tourniquets upon his thighs and left arm. Not surprisingly, the audience accorded him a standing ovation.
Speaker Jeff Swan spoke about “The Invisible Cost of Freedom”. In so doing, he drew to our attention his PTSD and his chronic lung disease acquired from the Burn Pits in Afghanistan. He explained that these issues may be invisible to us – but definitely were not invisible to his wife or son. There are probably few speakers that will share, onstage, circumstances of depression and attempted suicide or what it is like to be dealing with what is probably a fatal chronic lung disease. Again, the audience provided a standing ovation.
Steve McLaughlin, a veteran speaker on our 9/11 Event in 2024 and 2025, was assigned a mission that took him out of Washington State this year. Therefore, his talk was videoed in the History Hartley Mansion prior to our Event. However, our plans of presenting it to our Civic Auditorium audience was changed to feature in our Post-Event Website. Steve spoke of both “The Visible and Invisible Costs of Freedom” that complimented the talks of Josh Elliott and Jeff Swan. His talk was at a very personal level.
To conclude the focus upon “The Visible and Invisible Cost of Freedom” it seemed reasonable to imagine what might happen, when a soldier injured in battle, lying on a hospital bed, is suddenly seen by a loved one standing in his hospital room? Danylo and Dascha, through the art of dance, brought to our attention Barbra Streisand, a much-honored singer and huge veterans donor, who recorded the song. “He Touched Me”.
Joe Marine, our Master of Ceremonies, established from his podium, that our 9/11 Remembrance Event as a “Magical World” that specifically excluded issues such as politics, ethnic issues and religious issues, Therefore, he is always pleased to introduce in this Magical World, our “Queen of Celebration”, Karina Choe. Who not only had the presence of a queen – but a beautiful operatic voice!
And speaking of great singers, we must also recognize Darrell Holden, a well-recognized member of Jack Kiltzman’s “Nearly Dan”. Earshot Jazz Magazine reported that “If silk were a sound, it’d be Darelle Holden singing”.
Speaking of “Nearly Dan” and the “Christmas Spectacular” immediately brings to mind Carl Kelley. Carl is not only a very much adored vocalist but also has a special stage presence. That is why he took the identity of Louis Armstrong, in “Wonderful World” in our event. And how Louis envisioned that it wasn’t the “World” that was so bad – but the people living it. And how they needed to “Love” one another.
Michael Sicoly has been a singer, an actor in movies and TV but also enjoyed singing national Anthems for countless professional sports teams – but especially for out Silver Tips! However, last year and again this year, his major presence on our 9/11 Event has been to lead our audience in the “Personal Expression of God Bless America”, which has been copyrighted for our use.
For sure, we must also recognize the Dorothy Jayne Dance Studio, and the current Directors Danylo Yanchysyn with Dascha Wright, very well assisted by Liuda Astremka. Not only did the DJ Studio provide the onstage presence of Danylo and Dascha mentioned above, but The Dorothy Jayne dancers clearly brought the spirit of youth and energy to our 2024 and 2025 9/11 events – And again to this year’s 2026 Event. And in so doing, made it possible to Celebrate the Spirit of Freedom following the very serious messages of our Speakers. One of the DJ Dancers is Max Zieve, whose “Love of Sports and Classical Piano”, “Kicked Off” the Celebration of Freedom with the help of Karina “The Queen” Choe and Monet Pelluer “The Spirit of Freedom”. (BTW – The Founder of Oly’s Dancesport Studio – AKA the DJ Studio – Olga Foraponova Wright, could not be with us this year because on the night of our event, 9-11-26, she was in Orlando Florida, receiving the USCD 2025 Hall of Fame Award.)
Of course, the 9/11 Performance would never be possible without a truly experienced, talented and outstanding Stage Manager, Sam Samano – ably supported by ‘Robert”. Sam’s skills acquired through many, many years of theater were particularly critical given the very challenging on-stage rehearsal the preceded the Performance. Even when there are extremely talented, motivated cast members, it can still take a lot of expertise to bring thins together. (BTW – Robert’s role as “Monet” in a much needed pre-Event rehearsal video at the DJ Studio was much appreciated by Monet and Karina.)
We must also add the needed “Front of House” Staff at the entrance of the Civic Auditorium to answer questions and guide arrivals toward their seats. Frank Craven Volunteered to help out with this task not only in 2024 and 2025 but once again this year, 2026. Even though, it is “a bit different” from this usual job as owner of the substantial Aalbu Brothers metal fabricating and welding shop located in Arlington, Washington, Frank is very passionate supporting our community needs.
Our Civic Auditorium Technical Director this year – as well as 2024 and 2025 – was the very “seasoned” and caring Keith Corning. Keith and members of his staff that included Elliott Starr and Kholee Carbis provided expert assistance. It was because of their knowledge and experience that the audio and visual aspects of the 9/11 Performance was managed so well.
Finally, David Eaks, preserved our 9/11 Performance, not only in 2024 and 2025 but again this year. David learned the trade from his father, Richard Eaks, the founder of Puget Sound Video. And both of them also helped preserve the performances of the Christmas Spectacular (2001-2020). David’s presence behind the video camera assured an excellent performance video – Along with any requested video edits.
Charles-Henri Avleange arranged for an additional videographer, Sean Shkurhan, to help provide additional video to our presentation of the Fireman’s Prayer Anthem feature of out 9/11 Event.
And Finally! The one – The Only – Erryn Guilfoyle!!! Our Marketing and Communications Expert. Attendance this year was a special challenge for a number of reasons. It was the 250th Anniversary of America. It was a “Silver Tips Hockey Friday”. And so on. But this didn’t keep Erryn from finding ,,,,,,,,”The Audience of the Standing Ovations!”. Way to go Erryn!!!
Attention Please! – Through Charles-Henri Avelange, Erryn Guilfoyle was introduced to his Marketing and Communications Team, Claire Arnaud Aubour and Amandine Steppe. It was through their efforts that news of the Fireman’s Prayer Anthem recording sessions by the Grammy Winning adult and children’s Choral groups at Sony Picture’s Recording Studio was broadcast Nationally through the Fox News Network. And they also arranged the publication of the Fireman’s Prayer Anthem through the Los Angeles Magazine! (NOTE: Erryn Guilfoyle was in touch with Claire and Amandine during the promotion of our 9/11 Event,)
All of you once again gave me a gift that I will carry with me always!
With deep and abiding gratitude,
Sanford J. Wright MD
Creator, Producer and Director,
9/11 Remembrance Event; Monumental Talks.
September 18, 2026