Christchurch Not Forgotten in America

Monday, 14 March 2011, 3:20 pm
Article: Connie Lawn

Christchurch Not Forgotten in America

Taken at fundraiser for Christchurch earthquake victims at Daneil O'Connell's Resaurant in Alexandria, Virginia 3/12/11. Left to right Fred Wixson, Geoff Bridges, NZ Ambassador to US Mike Moore, Ram Todd, Owne Malone, Dave Keagan. Photo credit: Charles Sneiderman

Click for big version
Taken at fundraiser for Christchurch earthquake victims at Daneil O'Connell's Resaurant in Alexandria, Virginia 3/12/11. Left to right Fred Wixson, Geoff Bridges, NZ Ambassador to US Mike Moore, Ram Todd, Owne Malone, Dave Keagan. Photo credit: Charles Sneiderman

The tragic Christchurch earthquakes have not been forgotten, despite the ongoing tragedy in Japan. March the 12 was Christchurch Day in the historic city of Alexandria, Virginia, a short distance away from Washington DC. The greater Washington DC Chapter of Kea joined up with Alexandria Rugby to hold a spirited fundraiser at Daniel O'Connell's Bar and Restaurant. Rugby matches blared from the television, special meals were served, and New Zealand products were auctioned off. So far, $7000 was raised, but more money is coming in. Other major fund raising events for Christchurch are in the planning stages.

This event was put together with the hard work of Dave Keegan, the regional President (encompassing Washington DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis). He was assisted by Ram Todd, who is a master pie chef, crooner, and President of Alexandria Rugby. His pies and his singing are gaining growing popularity in the region. Ram led the beautiful singing of "God Defend New Zealand" in Maori and English. There was passion and emotion in the room as we all joined in singing.

Before that, NZ Ambassador Mike Moore led a moment of silence for all those affected in Japan and New Zealand. Then he gave a moving tribute and read a letter from the Prime Minister.

Additional messages of support came from Steve Tew, CEO of NZ Rugby, Todd Blackadder, Canterbury Coach, and Graham Henry, All Black Coach.

New Zealand has not been forgotten here, and will not be. President Obama again mentioned Christchurch in his press conference last week. He said he is just as saddened by the New Zealand earthquakes as he is by those in Japan, Haiti, and elsewhere.

Americans are aware and touched by the fact Christchurch sent a team to help in Japan. More help can be expected from the United States, and you will not be forgotten!

ENDS

Top Scoops Headlines

COMMENT > >

Franklin Lamb: The End Of Syria As We Know It? Why Obama Is Declaring War

The short answer is Iran and Hezbollah according to Congressional sources. “The Syrian army’s victory at al-Qusayr was more than the administration could accept given that town’s strategic position in the region. Its capture by the Assad forces has essentially added Syria to Iran’s list of victories... More>>

Paul Bruce: Why Light Rail Must Go Ahead In Wellington

In introducing a debate on Wellington’s future, the Dominion Post challenged us to think about big changes. The current transport model has failed to deliver, and all the recent studies show more of the same is going to make things worse. We need a different approach if we want a vibrant, economically successful city. More>>

Binoy Kampmark: Edward Snowden: Whistleblowing At The NSA

He has been so naughty, at least in the eyes of the security establishment. The British are up in arms about what information is being obtained on their citizens via U.S. channels. Foreign Secretary William Hague has tried dousing the fires, claiming that GCHQ’s alleged involvement in the global surveillance program PRISM did not involve any circumvention of the law. More>>

ALSO:

Undernews - NSA Spygate Special
Roots Action - Over 30,000 Sign Thank-You Note to Edward Snowden

Martha Rosenberg: A Little Arsenic Never Hurt Anyone, Says US Chicken Industry

A study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found detectable levels of arsenic in chicken from grocery stores in 10 American cities, including in organic chickens. If the drug were fed to all chickens, over 100 US deaths would result from arsenic-related lung and bladder cancers, report the authors. More>>

Franklin Lamb: The West To Pay A High Price For Targeting The Syrian Govt

A number of analysts and security experts who specialize in intelligence and security subjects in Lebanon and France have expressed this week shock at the way many Western authorities, including several in Europe and the United States, are avoiding engagement with the Syrian authorities and thus missing important avenues to help end the crisis in Syria. More>>

Andrea Brower: Coming Soon To Your Backyard, Monsanto And Gang!

When the handful of corporations set on owning, controlling and über-profiting from our common seed heritage — Monsanto, Syngenta, DuPont, Dow, BASF and Bayer — began experimenting with their proprietary chemicals and genetically engineered crops in Hawaii in the 1990s, barely a peep was made. Two decades later, we can’t even convince our Hawaii state government... More>>

Greenpeace: The Video Every Kiwi Should See

John Wathen is an award winning photojournalist who recently toured Aotearoa recounting his experience both on the ground and in the air documenting the catastrophic 2011 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. John flew out over the gulf in a light plane and captured the event as it was unfolding resulting in some amazing footage and images of the worst environmental disaster in American history. More>>

Mitchel Cohen: For Each & Every Warrior Whose Strength Is Not To Fight

The weakness of strategies based on Lowest Common Denominatorism was in full evidentiary blossom during the 1991 bombardment of Iraq, re-packaged as “the Gulf war.” “Support Our Troops, Not the War!” insisted the National Campaign for Peace in the Middle East, which grew out of the old National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam... More>>