GERRY — The Rodeo Senior Citizens of Gerry gathered recently for a luncheon and a program entitled “Where were you on 9/11?”

Edith Goon and Betty Camarata planned the program. They began the program with a series of photographs beginning with the first plane crash at 8:46 a.m. that day, and then the sequence of tragedies with times. Each told their individual stories of how the tragedy of the day affected their lives and the lives of their families. After their stories, they opened the program to the members, and asked for individual accounts. Nearly everyone there participated telling where they were at the time and what they were doing then. Jan Miller recalled that she was a teacher’s aide at the time, and when she saw the television that morning, she was careful not to show any emotion to the students when she returned to the classroom. Susan Washington Sipos told of her relative who was working in Washington at the time, and that he was involved in the searching after the tower bombing in 1993. All stories presented are lasting memories of that tragic day.

The luncheon and program were held at the Gerry United Methodist Church. President Ann Hellman called the meeting to order, and Pastor Phil Shay led all in the blessing before the meal. Cecil and Jan Miller set up the tables, and had things ready for the luncheon. All members attending brought a dish of food to pass, and there were ample amounts with a wide variety.

John Sipos led all in the pledge of allegiance. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by secretary Peg Harrison, and treasurer Gayle McKinney presented the financial report.

The group meets on the second Friday of each month at noon. The next gathering will be on Friday, Oct. 8, at noon in the Gerry United Methodist Church. All those attending are asked to bring a dish of food to share, and their own table service. The program will be the annual fun auction, whereby items will be brought in with a little poem on each item, and auctioned to the highest bidder. Everyone is welcome to participate.