Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 1

INSIDE: Pull-out American flag. C3-C4 Mr Mattoon "fl 1U mai uazett SO Cents REMEMBERING 9 11 01 Vi -mm ti it it it Thursday September 11, 2003 126th tea Not 200 OUTSIDE 8562 Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. Lows in the lower 60s. Fun report on B5.

FOOD Fall, sports mean it's tailgate time Sports fans still enjoy traditional tailgate parties, but pregame festivities are changing to include a wider variety of munchies on the menu. DetallsCl. TOP THIS Pumpkin pie might be in his future HENNIKER, N.H. (AP) It's the great pumpkin! At 1,458 pounds, Bruce Whittier believes he has grown a world-record pumpkin. About 50 friends and neighbors turned out for the weigh-in Tuesday, with 20 of the onlookers helping lift the pumpkin onto the scale.

"It's not official, but I think it could get into the Guinness book," said Whittier, a 54-year-old log buyer for a Henniker sawmill. Last year his competition pumpkins, the largest at 1,186 pounds, brought him $4,000 in prize money. Whittier planted the seed on April 26, grew it indoors and transferred the pumpkin in the garden on May 17. At the peak of its growth, the American Giant variety was gaining about 40 pounds daily, he said. CLASSIFIEDS Want to save a little money? Read the Classified Ads.

To place one, call 235-5656. Inside Jk TUT' KEVIN KILHOFFERSTAFF PHOTOCRAPHER Clinton Smith (pictured) and his brother, Dan, have placed 3,008 crosses in Casey to symbolize each life lost In terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Casey men put up crosses to honor Sept casualties 2003 Mattoon Journal Gazette Nation remembers tragic day NEW YORK (AP) The thousands killed on Sept. 11 will be honored where they and across the nation on the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks today, with cities falling silent, names read aloud, wreaths laid and bells tolling for the dead Two years to the minute after hijackers crashed American Flight 11 into the World Trade Center's north tower, victims' relatives and dignitaries will pause in silence at ground zero.

In Washington, President Bush will observe the 8:46 a.m. moment on the South Lawn of the White House. At the trade center, on a stage near where the north tower once stood, 200 children will take turns reading the 2,792 names of people lost in the attack. See NATION, A6 "We will continue to get paid until the end of September, and we might have (medical) benefits coming until the end of October, but that's not been determined," said Ryherd. The 60-day notice required to close a plant isn't needed in a strike situation, because those days started ticking away once the picket line opened up, said Mike Coventry, president of UAW Local 916.

"Most of us could see the writing on the wall," said Joe Thomas of Mattoon, a 19-year-employee. Coventry led the meeting See BLAW-KNOX Tragedy spawns new The events of Sept. 11 added terms to American vocabulary or increased usage of familiar words. They include: Let's roll 911, Sept. 11, 9-11 Homeland Security Alert StatusThreat Advisory.

Use of colors to describe level of security threat to the United States. Patriot Act Ground Zero Sky marshals Bio-terror FDNY NYPD Port Authority Jihad Anthrax tion book, a seating area and signs. Clinton Smith said about 350 people have signed the register since the crosses were put up just before Labor Day, and the total number of visitors is probably close to 500 so far. Comments written in the book have said how impressive the crosses are and urge INSIDE New videotape of Osama bin Laden shown on Arab television. DetallsC8.

Many Americans concerned about losing freedoms due to terrorism laws. DetallsC8. Military families support war in Iraq. DetallsA7. Attacks changed local emergency services.

DetailsDl. Local library offers array of books on Sept. 11. DetailsDl. forgotten about the attacks but other things have replaced it at the forefront.

"There are a lot of other things taking first place in their minds with the war in Iraq, but I think it all goes back to Sept. 11," he said. He also said there are plans to expand the memorial next year, perhaps adding a memorial to the police officers and firefighters who were killed. Also, the organizers now have a list of names of the people killed and want to put a name on each of the crosses and place them so it's easier to walk between them. Contact Dave Fopay at or BY DAVE FOPAY Staff Writer Memories fade over time, so Dan and Clinton Smith say they want to make sure people don't forget what happened two years ago today.

For the second year, the two brothers have organized the placing of crosses on a hill east of Casey. There are 3,008 crosses in all, symbolizing the number of people killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Dan Smith said people have told him the memorial reminds them of the feeling of uncertainty that the nation experienced after the hijacked jetliners crashed into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. "I plan on doing it forever," he said.

"It's something people need reminding of." As they were for last year's anniversary, the crosses are on a hill east of the intersection of Oak Leaf and Washington Street roads east of Casey with signs pointing the way. They'll be left there through Sunday. "It was understood last year that we would do it again this year," Clinton Smith said. "We've kind of expounded on it a little bit" This year, there's a registra- 1 1 terminology, songs Prior to Sept. 11 and post-Sept.

11 Enemy combatants The tragedy also inspired many entertainers to compose songs, including: "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," Toby Keith. "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson. "Have You Forgotten," Darryl Worley. "Iraq I Roll," Clint Black. "Into the Fire," Bruce Springsteen.

"Let's Roll," Neil Young. Compiled by Krista Lewin, Staff Writer people to never forget the tragedies of two years ago. Clinton Smith said that's important because there seems to be somewhat less attention to the anniversary this year. "It seems more important," he said. "We heard more about it last year." Dan Smith said he doesn't think people have necessarily -Knox BY DAWN SCHABBING Staff Writer MATTOON Vance Ryherd has more than 16 years to work before he can collect full retirement benefits, but he's most likely going to lose his Job of 29 years soon.

Ryherd, 50, of Sullivan is one of about 180 workers that could be affected by the tenta- five decision made Tuesday by Ingersoll-Rand to close the Mattoon Blaw-Knox facility. "When I first started here, I wasn't thinking ahead. That was too long ago," said Ryherd. "Just about 10 years ago I started figuring my retirement Ryherd and 156 other striking workers packed up their workers ponder future Advice C2 Classifieds D2-6 Comics C6 Entertainment C7 Ufestvtes CI local Lotteries A6 Markets A5 Obituaries B5 Opinion A4 si Blaw-Knox Tuesday evening after 481 the announcement was made by Ingersoll- Coventry Rand that morning. Members of United Auto Workers Local Union 916 had been on strike since March 16 when the union voted down its second contract offer 166 -13.

Now, their days of collecting $200 a week strike pay and being given some medical benefits by paying their union dues is coining to an end. 2472 signs and belongings along' the TJTcket line at KEVIN KHJ IOFFERSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER UAW Local 916 members file out of the Burgess-Osbome Auditorium after the meeting Wednesday. ONLftE at www.jg-tc.com or CONTACT US at 1 800 453.