THE ORIGIN and MISSION of MONUMENTAL TALKS

 
Whereas Americans were granted Freedom with the signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4^th, the Attack upon America of 9/11 threatened that Freedom.

Therefore, the Christmas Spectacular was created through the support of Everett’s Volunteers of America with a first performance in December of 2001, just 3 months after the 9/11 Attack. The show focused upon a word of great importance to Americans – “Freedom”.

 For the next 19 years the Christmas Spectacular sought to draw attention to the word “Freedom” over the Christmas Holidays, reminding Americans that without Freedom, these Holidays may not exist.

 It was for the Christmas Spectacular of 2006, during the Iraq War, that Dehner Franks composed and performed “What is the Cost of Freedom”. The lyrics and the melody of this song bring about a powerful, motivational impact to the message of Freedom.

 For the last 40 years, the legacy of Everett’s restored Historic Hartley Mansion has been recognized by its architecture as well as through the gifts of the Hartley Family that grace the Mansion walls.

 Yet, despite the enduring, historic presence of Roland Hartley, a 14 yo Canadian Immigrant, his family and his Historic Hartley Mansion, this legacy was never linked to any unique message about “Freedom”.

 Then, this year, 2024, all of that changed. Listening once again to “What is the Cost of Freedom” secured a powerful connection between Freedom and the Roland Hartley’s 1878 Application for Citizenship hanging on the dinning room wall, with the 1917 photo of the Hartley Family with sons standing ready to join WWI hanging on the living room wall next to the fireplace and with the banner placed inside the Mansion’s front door revealing that in 1917 Roland Hartley, at age 53, as a 1^st Generation Immigrant, signed up with the Washington National Guard to fight in WWI.

 The connection between “What is the Cost of Freedom” and the Legacy of the Hartley Family and Historic Hartley Mansion reminded us of a special core value, which then formed the basis for Monumental Talks. That core value: The Cost of Freedom!

 This core value of defending American Freedom was recognized by Roland Hartley and his family in WWI and this core value of defending American Freedom was also recognized by American families following the 9-11 terrorist attack on America.

 Of course, this core value, independent of wealth, has always been shared by Americans of all ages, faiths, ethnicities, and political affiliations.

 This core value may be succinctly stated as follows: “Any Attack upon our American Freedom – particularly an Attack that Threatens the Monument to any or all of our American Dreams – will be defeated because – as Americans – we are willing to pay for the Cost of Freedom”!

 Thus, it is only fitting that this new, powerful message should be awarded a powerful Title: “MONUMENTAL TALKS / What is the Cost of Freedom”.

 Every “Monumental Talk” must always include these 3 elements: “The American Dream”, “The American Freedom” and, of course, “the willingness to pay the Cost of American Freedom”.

 And WHY are MONUMENTAL TALKS important?  MONUMENTAL TALKS are the essential dialogues that we must share with each other in order to constantly confirm the priceless value of our American Dreams & American Freedom, for which we are willing to pay the Cost of Freedom. 

MONUMENTAL TALKS certainly help provide Remembrance of 9/11.

For Tickets to our 9/11 Event, go to: www.monumentaltalks.org

“You are invited to share a “MONUMENTAL TALK” by going to www.monumentaltalks.org and submitting your “TALK”.

It will then be Posted here on the Hartley Mansion Website.

The 9/11 Remembrance Event Monumental Talks Video

9/11 Event Video Recording

THE PROGRAM
Monumental Talks
What is the Cost of Freedom
The Everett Civic Auditorium
September 11, 2024
Click here for “Post-Event Reviews”
 

(I). Joe Marine, Master of Ceremonies: Welcome. 

(II). Pledge Allegiance: Capt. Stacy Wuthier, Naval Station Everett Commander; the Color Guard

(III). National Anthem: Monet Pelluer, Darelle Holden, Carl Kelley, Dehner Franks, and Jack Klitzman/Band

(IV). Commandment of Valor: In honor of our fallen heroes. Warner Brothers Orchestra Video Recording; Charles Avelange, composer

(V). Everett Mayor Presentation: Cassie Franklin

(VI). 9/11 Becomes News: Steve McLaughlin

(VII). Monumental Talk: Antonio Williams

(VIII). Rock 22 Organization – New Vet Org. for PTSD: Jeff Swan & Ray Lockman.

(IX). Immigrant Talk: Ricardo with Marci Velasco.

(X). Refugee Talk: Donya Ziraksari, Represented by Dehner and Jan Franks.

(XI). What it the Cost of Freedom: Monet Pelluer, Captain Stacy Wuthier, Steve McLaughlin, CDR, USN, Ret., Dehner Franks, Jack Klitzman/Band

(XII). Vengan Con Migo: Monet Pelluer; Karina Choe; Darelle Holden; Carl Kelley, Dascha and Danylo with the Dorothy Jayne Studio Dancers, Sam Samano, Dehner Franks, and Jack Klitzman/Band

(XIII). What a Wonderful World: Carl Kelley, Karina Choe, Darelle Holden, Antonio and Ena Williams, Ricardo and Marci Velasco, Jeff Swam, Ray Lockman, Steve McLaughlin, Jan Franks, Dehner Franks, and Jack Klitzman/Band

(XIV). God Bless America: Monet Pelluer, Darelle Holden, Carl Kelley, Jan Franks, Karina Choe, Dehner Franks, Jack Klitzman/Band; and Lee Mathews/Freedom Choir.

HONORED GUESTS
in order of Appearance
(Click for guest biographies)

Charles Avelange – Composer; “Commandment of Valor”

Everett Mayor – Cassie Franklin

Steve McLaughlin – Monumental Talks Speaker

Antonio Williams (wife Ena) – Monumental Talks Speaker

Jeff Swan and Ray Lockman – Rock 22 Speakers; New Vet. Org. for PTSD.

Ricardo Velasco (wife Marci) – Immigrant Speaker

Donya Ziraksari – Refugee Speaker

CAST
(Click for List of Biographies)

Joe Marine, Master of Ceremonies: Welcome

Capt. Stacy Wuthier, Commander Naval Station Everett

Steve McLaughlin

Monet Pelluer

Darelle Holden

Carl Kelley

Karina Choe DACM; AEMP, L.AC.

Jan Franks

Dehner Franks

Danylo Yanchyshyn and Dascha Wright

Dorothy Jayne Studio Dancers

Sam Samano

Jack Klitzman; Musical Director of the Seattle Theater Group.

Band Members
Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Mike Mines
Trombone: Dan Marcus
Keyboard & Congas: John Sanders
Bass: Wayne Bliss
Drums: Scott Ketron

Lee Mathews

Freedom Choir

PRODUCTION STAFF

Creator, Producer/Director/Script Originator – Sanford Wright MD

Composer/”What is the Cost of Freedom”; “Vengan Con Migo” – Dehner Franks

Musical Director/Arranger/Band Leader – Jack Klitzman

The Dorothy Jayne Studio Dancers – Olga Foraponova Wright, Creator; Dascha Wright, Danylo Yanchyshyn, Directors and Liudmyla Astremka, Associate.

Freedom Choir – Lee Mathews

Stage Manager – Sam Samano

Stage/House Support – Keith Corning and the Civic Auditorium Staff

Event Video Recording – Puget Sound Video; David Eaks.

SUPPORT

The Monumental Talks 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization created by the Carson Law Group; Holly Shannon, Attorney; Sanford Wright MD; President; Administrative Assistant, Patti Larson supported by Linda Hall and Bob Brown.

Promotion and Social Media Support – Angelina Krivorak

Vocal Path Studio – Megan Parker Renee

Puget Sound Video – David Eaks

Monumental Talks Website Creation/support – Ovid Stavrica

Hartley Mansion Website Support – Brandon Tutmarc.

The Dorothy Jayne Studio – Dascha Wright and Danylo Yanchyshyn; Directors

Pacific Copy and Printing – Brenda Cook and Staff

North Sound Media / KRKO and KXA; Chuck Maylin (General Manager); Elise Detloff (Assist.)

MONUMENTAL TALKS – CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS & CONNECTIONS

• Bob Drewel
• Dehner Franks
• Donya Ziraksari
  
• Howie Bargreen
• Mike Gobin
• Olga Foraponova Wright
• Dan Squires
• Lee Mathews
• Antonio Williams
• Ricardo and Marci Velasco
• City of Everett Mayor’s Office
• Jeff Swan & Ray Lockman
• Megan Parker Renee
• Dascha Wright and Danylo Yanchyshyn
• Patti Larson
• Bob Brown

POST-EVENT REVIEWS

*Thank you for the opportunity to attend this evenings Cost of Freedom Program. Sharon and I attended with the Bannan’s and Hansen’s and enjoyed the program including the personal messages and reflection from those who participated. Lot of work and successful outcome. Congratulations.
Jim Langus. Consultant; Past Chief Administrative Officer for the Snohomish County PUD. Past Executive for the City of Everett. (9-11-24).

*It was a meaningful show tonight. (In this photo of the Arlington Cemetery.) We were with our son, David and his family.  Two of my son’s buddies that he served with were killed on the same day, side by side.
Patty Jordan.  Providence Regional Medical Center RN, Retired. (9-11-24).

*Wow! – Sanford, I am truly impressed with your artistic abilities and direction!!
Karina Choe. Cast Member/Singer. DACM, AEMP, L.AC. (9-11-24)

*Very nice show – and good speakers, who make a person stop and think once in awhile just how lucky we are to live in America! Entertaining too!
Linda Hall. Monumental Talks Support Staff. (9-11-24).

*Dr. Wright, Thank you! Thank you! Last night was truly an event I will never forget. Two of your speakers, Ray and Steve, are old friends that I have not seen in years. God Bless you Sir for bringing people back to the roots of why as Americans we have so much to be thankful for and that we never forget those who gave it all for our freedoms! PS: Thank you for recognizing VOA!
Kirk Pearson. Volunteers of America VP of External Affairs. (9-12-24).

*At the ‘Monumental Talks’ event today, we paid tribute to the courageous men and women who have fought for our freedom. Their heartwarming stories of sacrifice and bravery inspired us to reflect on the true meaning of freedom and the price we must be willing to pay for it. As an American and a composer, I was proud and honored to have my music “The Age of Heroes” and “Commandment of Valor” to  be a part of this powerful event that reinforced our commitment to unity and the pursuit of positive change. Thank you to Dr. Sanford Wright for organizing this event and to all the heroes who graced us with their presence. We will never forget!
Charles Avelange. Cast Member. LA/Hollywood Film Composer. (9-14-24)

*Enjoyed the evening. Joni Smith sat with us. Thanks for the Invite. Waiting for next year!
Scott Fuller. Newland Construction Superintendent, Historic Hartley Mansion Restoration. (9-12-24).

*Sanford, thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in this event. It was very rewarding for me. I hope I made a positive impact on the audience and the cast and crew.
Steve McLaughlin. Cast Member; Veteran Speaker. (9-11-24)

*Loved that show last night. We sat with Bill and Janice Rucker and Dan and Anna Marie Jackson Lawrence. We all enjoyed the show. I talked to a couple of the Vets afterward and they were very moved. Good Job!
Barbara George. Executive Director, The Everett Museum.  (9-12-24)

*Great job Sanford!!! You pulled this thing together and that’s not easy. Thank you!
Darelle Holden. 9/11 Cast Member/Singer. Remembrance Event Singer/Cast Member. (9-12-24)

*Great show last night Doc! Thank you.
Lynda Schultz. Entertainment Director, Port Gardner Bay Winery. (9-12-24).

*Sir, thank you for letting The ROCK 22 be a part of Monumental Talks last night and helping us get our vision out there to help out other veterans. I hope that Ray and myself did you proud. Thanks again and hope we can do other things in the future.
Jeff Swan. Cast Member. Founder of ROCK 22 Group. (9-12-24).

*Thanks for a wonderful evening last night!
Gary Christiansen. Jazz pianist/composer. (9-12-24).

*Everyone we talked to said this was the best event they had been to in a long time. Really touched them.
Ricardo and Marci Velasco. Cast Members/Immigrant Talk. Owners of Mazatlan Restaurant.   (9-13-24).

*So. The Monumental Talk. Remarkable. Heartfelt. Inspiring. I’m out of adjectives but a really wonderful event – and so timely juxtaposed to the debate and vitriol from the debate last night. You need to be very proud of what you conceived and produced.
Tom Stonecipher MD. Orthopedic Spine and Hip Surgeon. The Everett Clinic/OPTUM. (9-13-24)

*Hello Sir. I want to tell you how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to appear in your live production. Thank you again, Sir. Very respectfully.
Antonio Williams. Cast Member. Monumental Talks Speaker. (9-13-24).

*Let me add to my previous note – It was such a wonderful show with such a meaningful and important message. It was an honor to be part of it. Thank you so much Sanford. Bravo to you and everyone involved! 
Charles-Henri Avelange. Cast Member. LA/Hollywood Film Composer. (9-14-24)

*After attending the Event on September 11th, I was ableto reflect on the happiness of being alive in this land. The life of an immigrant was hard, However, I dreamed of being an American. The hope for that life compelled me to achieve the goal of American Citizenship. Many people helped make this possible. Soldiers. Police Officers. And Neighbors. Their support and hard work made my Dream come true. In my home country, I had participated in a student movement to protect Freedom. And in the United States, my second home, I have always felt that it was an honor to take part in the workforce of this country. As an American CItizen, I see working as my way of helping pay for the Freedom given to me here in America. The 9-11 Event reminded me that freedom is not free. And I would like to express my gratitude for all the hard work and effort that went into preparing this Event. Thank you for your beautiful work. I love this beautiful country. God Bless you.