Reminders of Sept. 11 still cut deep

MICHELE MARR

A couple of weeks ago my husband Michael and I saw the movie “City by

the Sea.” The film is very loosely based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning,

true story, “Mark of a Murderer,” by Mike McAlary.

In its Hollywood way, the screenplay chronicles the life of

Vincent LaMarca, a New York City police officer whose father was

executed, when Vincent was 10, for the kidnapping death of an infant

in 1956 and whose 24-year-old son Joey was convicted, 40 years later,

for the stabbing death of James Winston, another 24-year-old man.

In the film, LaMarca is one of the homicide detectives who

investigates the murder and as he and his partner stand over the body

of the victim, which washed up on a public beach, the New York City

skyline stands behind them with the World Trade Center towers still

intact.

Two years after the deadly destruction of those buildings by

terrorists it’s still hard to see an image of that longtime skyline

without drawing a sharp breath, without sensing the shadow of an

unseen dark cloud passing overhead.

If “City by the Sea” first played in theaters, I didn’t notice it,

even though two of my favorite actors, Robert De Niro (as Vincent

LaMarca) and Frances McDormand (as Vincent’s girlfriend) star in it.

We watched the movie on DVD and, in a value-added commentary on

the disk, we listened to Bryan Singer, the film’s director, discuss

making the decision to leave the World Trade Center towers in the

city skyline for the movie’s post-Sept. 11 release.

To leave the towers or to remove the towers is not a decision

everyone sees eye to eye on, no matter where the question comes up.

One of my favorite restaurants, Finbar’s Italian Kitchen in Seal

Beach, has New York City roots and a mural of a pre-Sept. 11 New York

City skyline on a wall of its cozy patio.

I’ve heard a few diners wonder aloud about why the towers have not

been painted out of the mural’s skyline. The image for them is kind

of a downer, intruding with its sad memories on an otherwise good

evening of good food among good friends.

Others see it as a fitting memorial. The mural is a touchstone

that measures how precious and fragile life is.

For months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks the

reader-board sign alongside the California Bank and Trust on

Goldenwest Street also served as a touchstone for me.

Right after the attacks, big, black letters went up that said,

“Our prayers are with the victims of our nation’s tragedy.” Then on

the first anniversary of the national tragedy the words “Never

forget” were added. This year, one side of the sign is blank while

the other advertises home equity loans with “no set up costs” and

“low, low interest rates.”

Last year, dozens of this city’s places of worship held

remembrance services on Sept. 11. Many opened the doors of their

sanctuaries early and kept them open well into the evening so anyone

who wanted to enter a sacred place to meditate or pray.

This year, I have found few plans in the faith community to offer

solace to the public on the second anniversary of our nation’s loss.

Perhaps our recent war with Iraq and, now, its aftermath have

stolen our thoughts away from Sept. 11. Perhaps many of us on this

“left coast,” as the menu at Finbar’s calls this place we live, have

simply moved on.

Nonetheless, anyone looking for a place to remember or a place to

pray on Sept. 11 will have at least three places they can go.

Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach has organized “Two years later the

light still shines: A night of remembrance,” which will be held at 7

p.m. at the Golden West College Amphitheater where parking and

admission will be free. All military, fire fighters, law enforcement

and emergency medical workers are invited to come in uniform.

“This event will offer hope,” said Andrew Russell, missions and

assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel. “People [will have] an

opportunity to respond to the good news of Jesus Christ.

“Breaking down all the walls we have set up for ourselves, we

realize we are all in this together. We need each other. We are here

for each other.”

Community United Methodist Church will hold a 45-minute

remembrance service at the church, at 6642 Heil Ave., starting at 7

p.m.

The Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council will sponsor an

observance in Central Park from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the bandstand

area. The Rev. Peggy Price, minister of the Huntington Beach Church

of Religious Science and president of the Interfaith Council, will

present an original prayer intended to help people cope with, accept

and prepare for all of life’s events.

Rabbi Steve Einstein of Congregation B’nai Tzedek will close the

program, which will also include the music of bagpipers, buglers and

vocalists, with a brief inspirational message on unity.

“All are welcome. Admission is free. Bring a blanket, a brown bad

[lunch] or just lean against a tree but [come to] this celebration of

life and tribute to those who serve us so bravely yet so quietly,”

said Debi Wheeler, co-chair for the event.

* MICHELE MARR is a freelance writer from Huntington Beach. She

can be reached at [email protected].