Last updated: July 02, 2011-16: 35
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YARDLEY, PA. -Skip Gittens fluctuated as a helicopter MOM in the basement of the Bucks County farmhouse last week that four volunteers tempered methodically long hair in a large tank of hot wax again and again until, slowly, long, white pure candles form.
Under the watchful eye of the Gittens, the enthusiastic crew turned 240 candles over the next two hours, but many others is necessary. At the end of August, Gittens has for purpose to 2,973 candles - one in the memory of each person killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Candles will help mark the 10th anniversary of this unforgettable day, a soft glow of casting service before September 10 in the garden of reflection, official Memorial of Pennsylvania to the victims. The cones also will be distributed at a ceremony at the lower Makefield garden the next day morning.
Gittens said that candles are symbolic emotions handle of this day and reflect the theme of the garden, "out of... light darkness."
"It's our job to remember victims and what has happened," says Gittens, 63, who is President of a company of gas turbines, Valley Enterprises, in Levittown and makes candles as a hobby in his basement Newtown Township.
The attacks severely hit Gittens - but not immediately. It took about a week for the enormity of flow and emotions to emerge, he said. "And then it was horrible," he recalled in the candle-making session last week.
Gittens has found it necessary to do something.
Up to four weeks after the attacks, he organized a commemorative ceremony at Newtown, on the same day, the bombs began to fall into Afghanistan. Each year since then, he has assisted service, Newtown or reflection Garden, where he serves as Director of plan.
But in his free time, candles are the cup of tea Gittens.
Since 1988, he was making them and giving them as gifts to friends, family, volunteers at other charity events, even just to meet people. Making candles for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, day of Saint Valentine, St. Patrick's day and day of mothers and in several styles and many fragrances.
It was therefore natural that Gittens, after the use of candles during the memorial service of 2002 in Newtown, would figure a way to use in the garden.
Sometimes he invites volunteers in his home to churn out the candles of feet long. Many of the volunteers were already active in the planning and fundraising for the garden, so it became a group very United.
"It is incredible the relations formed", Gittens said.
Friday, 720 candles had been completed.
"9/11 pulled people around together," said volunteer Mike Wire, 64, of the Township of Northampton, whose role was to clip the wick to separate each pair of candles.
Wire, a mechanic-Editor, spent three weeks at ground zero after the attacks, a blow of demolition. His brother, Frank, was there, too, but died in May 2007 of leukemia which Wire believes, was caused by exposure to benzene on site gas.
For cabling, taking part in the manufacture of candles is a way of commit to the memory of all this.
"It is difficult to remember things that make you feel bad," he said. "I won't forget it."
Ellen Saracini, whose husband, Victor, was one of the air line pilots killed in the attacks of the World Trade Center, and is Director of the garden, said the candles that adds a touch of elegance to the ceremony of this year.
And the gesture is typical Gittens, said.
"This is how it can contribute to a truly sustainable and affectionate remembrance ceremony," said Saracini, one of the volunteers of the manufacture of candles.
Saracini is also occupied with plans to build a wall of entrance to the garden in time for the celebrations of September. The events of this year also include a Ride of reflection, a tour of motorcycle 60 miles through Bucks County on 10 September that will end at the garden and the eighth 5 K run/walk annual, which will start and end at the garden, September 17.
Gittens said candles were a natural way for people to focus on the attacks.
"There are a lot of meaning, and yet it is very simple." "We are just honor the victims,", he said.
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Information: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.philly.com
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