Tributes to victims take on many forms

Dan Kulin

Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002 | 11:10 a.m.

Away from the ceremonies attended by thousands of people across the nation Wednesday, many area residents and businesses paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy a year ago in their own ways.

Remembering and recognizing what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, is important "for all the families and loved ones who were lost, and to remind people that we live in a wonderful country," said Mark Jacobson, 43, of Henderson, an assistant chief of the maintenance department at the Golden Nugget.

Jacobson planned to go to a special church service Wednesday evening and has been wearing a small flag pin for about a week.

Many people were wearing a small pin or a red, white and blue ribbon, including Bonnie Peters, 49, of Las Vegas. The small ribbon shows "I'm for my country," said Peters, who works in the bakery at Smith's supermarket on Green Valley Parkway in Henderson.

The colors of the flag were also prominent at the Children's World Learning Centers in Henderson.

"We had red, white and blue Popsicles," said 4-year-old Samantha Bauer.

Although Bauer wasn't sure why Sept. 11 was a significant day, her grandmother, Sharon King, said she hoped the children learned a little about patriotism.

"We're teaching the children how to ... be a part of supporting someone else," the center's director, Dyane Masden, said. "We talked to the children about the incidents and their effects and they understand that people were hurt and that some people lost their mommies and daddies."

Many children at the day-care center had their faces decorated with red, white and blue paint, and some made patriotic banners they hung along a fence across from a fire station.

"I think it's great even though they're young and probably oblivious to what happened," said Colleen Kreusling, whose 2-year-old son attends the center. "They're putting (the day's meaning) to them in their terms."

At the Silverton, the United Blood Services took blood from more than 100 donors Wednesday.

"It's been heartwarming to see people come out and give their blood so others can live," donor recruitment representative Janice Dunnington said. "It's just been an awesome turnout."

At Sears in Henderson, most of the employees wore blue jeans and white shirts to work Wednesday.

"The white T-shirt and denim jeans were chosen because they're an American look. Wearing those colors is something that only this store will do," store manager Ken Lanier said. Employees at more than 800 Sears stores nationwide observed a moment of silence before opening for business Wednesday.

"We also allowed our associates to take a personal day off if they chose to," Lanier said. "But no one at my store did that. Surprisingly, there were no sick call-ins."

Lanier said some employees asked for the dress-down day because they wanted to wear shirts with American flags on them to commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

The Bellagio had a moment of silence at noon, along with a choreographed show featuring patriotic songs at its dancing water fountains. Other Strip resorts featured patriotic words and images on their message boards. We talked to the children about the incidents and their effects and they understand that people were hurt and that some people lost their mommies and daddies."