Luminous tribute to 9/11

Jim Tomes, of Council Bluffs, waves to passersby in front of the Woodmen Building in downtown Omaha during the tribute to Sept. 11 on Monday.

By KATIE RYAN
News Editor

After graduating from Creighton in 1967, Michael Tinley moved on to his career and family life. He fathered two daughters and moved to Dallas.

His life was cut short on Sept. 11, 2001.

His brother, Chris Tinley, who also graduated from Creighton, has not forgotten him.

Chris and his brother Emmett flipped the switch during the World Trade Center lighting tribute sponsored by Woodmen of the World.

More than 1,000 people attended the “In Honor and Remembrance Lighting Ceremony” on Sept. 11, 2006, the five-year anniversary of the plane crashes in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Michael Tinley worked with a company in the World Trade Center and just happened to be in town on business, Chris said. Michael was in the North Tower on the 100th floor, he said.

People have been very supportive since 9/11 and being part of ceremonies such as these is an honor to his family, Chris said.

“Of course, we’d prefer not to be a part of it because we wish my brother wasn’t killed in 9/11,” Chris said.

The ceremony, designed by Michael Wilson, senior graphic designer for Woodmen of the World, mimicked the spotlight memorial in New York City.

The twin towers of light were a tribute to solidarity, Wilson said, and helped people express their emotions.

On a clear night, the lights can be seen for 25 miles, said Scott Darling, vice president of communications for Woodmen of the World.

The two lights together give off a total of 10 billion candlepower, as much as the light power of 10 billion candles at once.

The lights were complemented by two 50-foot by 100-foot American flags draped over both the east and west sides of the Woodmen building, Wilson said.

The light symbolizes hope, and the flag is still there, just as the National Anthem says, Wilson said.

For Wilson, the most inspiring parts of the ceremony did not come in the planned lighting or the pre-set flags—the most inspiring parts were the spontaneous reactions of the crowd.

One crowd member released a red, white and a blue balloon; another left a personal note under a rock; one crowd member even broke out in song, singing “God Bless America” to which the audience sang along, Wilson said.

“It makes you proud to be an American,” he said.

The display can be seen at Woodmen Tower, 1700 Farnam St., until Sept. 17.