Family of September 11 victim in Palma for peace celebration

Cheryl, Jennifer and Tom MacGuinness, the widow and children of one of the two pilots aboard the first American Airlines Boeing 767 which crashed into the Twin Towers in the terrorist attacks of September 11, are in Palma to take part in the presentation of the Peace and Co-operation Foundation's prizes. The Foundation, together with the non-government organisation Airline Ambassadors (formed by flight personnel of 12 American airlines) wants in this way to commemorate today's School Day of Non-Violence and Peace. The presentation, sponsored by the Council of Majorca, will take place in the auditorium of the Colegio La Salle. Yesterday, the MacGuinness family was received by Maria Antonia Munar, the President of the Council of Majorca, who presented them with a siurell, the clay whistle which is a symbol of the island. Mrs MacGuinness said that it was “a privilege to be here and receive the support of the island.” She added “The God of life is consoling my family through the tributes of many people from around the world.” She also said that “President Bush is doing a great job” in the war against terrorism, adding that “we think that he is a wise man, a man of God.” She said that her Christian faith and confidence in her country was helping the family overcome the tragedy which she would never fully understand. Jennifer and Tom MacGuinness, aged 16 and 14 respectively, said “faith in God gives us the strength to get through the bad times,” and they did not hesitate to say that “God is working through President Bush to fight against violence.” The Peace and Co-operation prizes are dedicated to children who are victims of violence. The awards are for poetry, projects, reports, posters and drawings and this year the top award goes to Grunula Syed of Pakistan.