CUs Plan to Honor 9/11 in Quiet Observance

WASHINGTON – Reflecting a desire to keep a low-key profile and offer respect to 9/11 families, Pentagon Federal Credit Union has offered its services to USO and the Department of Defense, but it has no formal plans to commemorate the day beyond taking out tribute ads in military publications. “We stand ready to assist in any way to facilitate arrangements and we also want to demonstrate that we haven’t forgotten,” declared James Schenck, senior vice president and chief administrator. Hence, any observances by Pentagon Federal would be “low key and sophisticated because in no way do we want to open up old wounds.” said Schenck. As it did last year, Pentagon Federal said it would be offering to help sponsor a reception for 9/11 families as requested by USO. Pentagon FCU has already contributed $2,500 to the Pentagon Memorial Fund which is raising money to build a memorial on the Pentagon grounds to those people who gave their lives on 9/11. “We were particularly saddened by the terrorist attack on the Pentagon, not only because it is home to our flagship branch, but also because it touched so many of the people we serve. This physical tribute will be a fitting companion to the place we keep in our hearts for those who perished,” said Mary Lynn Stevens, vice president, External Relations for PFCU. Stevens added that, “more importantly, we ask that people thank someone who is serving our country in defense and national security. They give so much to keep us free and they deserve to hear that we appreciate them.” Navy Federal CU also said it has no formal plans to observe the day “because we think we pay respect to those victims who gave us our freedom by conducting business as usual.” The two airline credit unions, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, of Dallas and United Airlines Employees Credit Union of Schaumburg, Ill., which both suffered member losses, said they would be following the lead of their sponsors. AAFCU said it would simply take cues of its parent by participating “in their quiet observance of the 9/11 anniversary.” United said it will be placing lily plants in its branches as it did last year and marking the day with commemorative e-mails to employees. [email protected]