lucky wilbury
07-13-2004, 07:57 PM
http://news.bostonherald.com/election2004/view.bg?articleid=35436&format=text
Kerry show irks 9/11 families
By David R. Guarino
Read Guarino's Road to Boston Blog
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio] upset some families of 9/11 victims yesterday when he arrived - late - to a private memorial dedication in a sirened motorcade and glad-handed as though he were on the campaign trail.
The senator, in Boston for the day, hopped in his motorcade at the Four Seasons, drove around the Boston Public Garden and arrived at the memorial with his sizable entourage in tow.
Press were kept away but several family members, speaking privately, said they were miffed that Kerry arrived after most other pols - such as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy [related, bio], Rep. Martin T. Meehan [related, bio], and Attorney General Tom Reilly - had all left.
And Kerry stayed much longer than the other leaders, shaking hands, posing for photos before he left with just as much commotion.
``I bet he couldn't even name anybody on that wall,'' said the wife of one 9/11 victim, who spoke on the condition her name not be used.
Others said they were disturbed that the Kerry campaign allowed television crews to film over the Public Garden fence - capturing video of Kerry with grieving family members in the midst of his presidential campaign.
Linda Plazonja, executive director of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, said she understood some families were upset but said most appreciated the senator taking time from the campaign trail to support families.
``The man certainly has a lot on his plate,'' Plazonja said. ``In spite of all he has going on, he made it here - and most people appreciated that.''
And one family member, Lynn Retik of Weston, said she was thrilled Kerry showed up.
``He showed he cared by coming, it takes a lot of effort for the people who guard him now,'' said Retik, who's son, David, died aboard Flight 11 in the attacks. ``I don't think he was looking for any political advantage at all.''
Kerry's aides said the event was non-political.
``As a senator from this state, and as an American, Sen. Kerry came to pay his private respects to families and friends who suffered a great loss on 9/11,'' spokesman David Wade said.
``This isn't a day for politics, and John Kerry [related, bio] attended the ceremony quietly and respectfully without staff in tow, keeping the media at a distance,'' Wade said. ''John Kerry remembers what it was like to lose friends on that terrible day, and it's seared in him as an American why we must do whatever it takes to keep Americans safe and destroy the terrorists.''
Kerry's stir at the 9/11 memorial came amid a whirlwind day of Boston campaigning - including two fund-raisers that netted his campaign and Democrats an estimated $5 million.
Kerry show irks 9/11 families
By David R. Guarino
Read Guarino's Road to Boston Blog
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio] upset some families of 9/11 victims yesterday when he arrived - late - to a private memorial dedication in a sirened motorcade and glad-handed as though he were on the campaign trail.
The senator, in Boston for the day, hopped in his motorcade at the Four Seasons, drove around the Boston Public Garden and arrived at the memorial with his sizable entourage in tow.
Press were kept away but several family members, speaking privately, said they were miffed that Kerry arrived after most other pols - such as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy [related, bio], Rep. Martin T. Meehan [related, bio], and Attorney General Tom Reilly - had all left.
And Kerry stayed much longer than the other leaders, shaking hands, posing for photos before he left with just as much commotion.
``I bet he couldn't even name anybody on that wall,'' said the wife of one 9/11 victim, who spoke on the condition her name not be used.
Others said they were disturbed that the Kerry campaign allowed television crews to film over the Public Garden fence - capturing video of Kerry with grieving family members in the midst of his presidential campaign.
Linda Plazonja, executive director of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, said she understood some families were upset but said most appreciated the senator taking time from the campaign trail to support families.
``The man certainly has a lot on his plate,'' Plazonja said. ``In spite of all he has going on, he made it here - and most people appreciated that.''
And one family member, Lynn Retik of Weston, said she was thrilled Kerry showed up.
``He showed he cared by coming, it takes a lot of effort for the people who guard him now,'' said Retik, who's son, David, died aboard Flight 11 in the attacks. ``I don't think he was looking for any political advantage at all.''
Kerry's aides said the event was non-political.
``As a senator from this state, and as an American, Sen. Kerry came to pay his private respects to families and friends who suffered a great loss on 9/11,'' spokesman David Wade said.
``This isn't a day for politics, and John Kerry [related, bio] attended the ceremony quietly and respectfully without staff in tow, keeping the media at a distance,'' Wade said. ''John Kerry remembers what it was like to lose friends on that terrible day, and it's seared in him as an American why we must do whatever it takes to keep Americans safe and destroy the terrorists.''
Kerry's stir at the 9/11 memorial came amid a whirlwind day of Boston campaigning - including two fund-raisers that netted his campaign and Democrats an estimated $5 million.