U2's lead singer, Bono, has been a famous rock star for over two decades. His social activism dates back almost as long -- to 1984 when he appeared on Band Aid's "Do they know it's Christmas?" -- a charity record to raise money for famine-stricken Ethiopia. The following year, U2 also performed at London's Wembley Stadium at the Live Aid concert for Africa. Throughout the '80s … [Read more...] about Bono: On a Mission
New York City
Frank Cummins:
Just Doing His Job
For most firefighters, recognition is something they shy away from. Frank Cummins of Engine 255, Ladder 157, like countless other firefighters in the city of New York, dismisses his heroic deeds as "just doing my job." In the aftermath of September 11, Cummins spent weeks searching through the rubble for the remains of colleagues and civilian casualties at what the firefighters … [Read more...] about Frank Cummins:
Just Doing His Job
Grandpa’s Shoes
I find it hard to believe that it has been 24 years since I wrote this piece. The wound still seems so fresh in my mind. But I am reminded of the notion that the wound is the place where the light enters. And yet we are living, once again, in dark times. Still, I think that we have to tell our stories over and over again if we are going to be able to create the space for … [Read more...] about Grandpa’s Shoes
Larry Downes:
Friends of New York
Larry Downes is the New York head of Friends of Sinn Féin. Shortly after September 11 the decision was made to reroute the funds from their annual fundraiser to the victims of the attack on America. With Gerry Adams in attendance at the Sheraton Hotel in New York, over $400,000 was raised.
"We raised the money on behalf of the New York Construction Industry Disaster Relief … [Read more...] about Larry Downes:
Friends of New York
Father Brian Jordan:
Comfort at Ground Zero
Fr. Brian Jordan is a priest at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street, the church of the late Fire Department Chaplain Fr. Mychal Judge and the present chaplain, Fr. Christopher Keenan. On September 11th, Fr. Jordan who lost many friends including Fr. Judge, went to Ground Zero to help where he could. In the days following September 11th, Fr. Jordan spent a lot of … [Read more...] about Father Brian Jordan:
Comfort at Ground Zero