‘My father and my hero’

On Sunday, Oct. 6, Olivia Davis, a senior at Bayport-Blue Point High School, held a moving ceremony for her Girl Scout Gold Award at the 9/11 Remembrance Park in Ronkonkoma, where she fundraised for benches and chairs to be installed for visitors.

Olivia’s father, Glenn Davis, a Local 3 electrician who worked in downtown Manhattan for weeks following 9/11 in 2001 setting up safety lighting for first responders, died eight years ago from 9/11-related cancer.

Olivia, who was 9 at the time, remembered her father’s good humor and kind spirit at the time of his diagnosis and his death only two months later.

For the last eight years, Olivia and her mother, Michelle, along with her brother, Jack, have been attending services at the park in Ronkonkoma on the anniversary of the terrorist attack.

In an emotional afternoon, Olivia’s family and other well-wishers recalled the importance of trades unions on 9/11, the aftermath, and its woven history in the fabric of America.

Starting research in 10th grade for her Gold Project, Olivia decided on her project with her mother because “this park has always been important to me and my family… I noticed more and more over the years how many names [of deceased 9/11 cancer victims) were added to the wall, over 300 names this year, and it brings a bigger crowd and there’s not even seating, and I hate for people to be grieving and not have a place to sit for relief.”

Olivia called her dad a “goofy guy” who “did not like the attention on him,” but said she thought the bench engraving was something “that would have made him proud.”

Three fundraisers were held by Olivia, including a car wash in October, Easter baskets, and of course, selling Girl Scout Cookies, which raised over $2,000.

Dr. Timothy Hearney, superintendent of BBP schools who was in attendance, said, “She is just a tremendous person who looks out for others and is always involved in activities. She’s always with her friends—she’s got a great group of friends. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know her more, and I know she’s going to do great things when she leaves us.”

Rev. Bill Minson, who has presided over dozens of 9/11 dedication ceremonies, carried with him a Bible he used after the Oklahoma City bombing.

“This was presented to me by the Oklahoma City police chaplains, and I’ve never used it before, so Olivia will be the first to use it,” said Minson.

“We always honor our first responders, our police, our fire, but today we are honoring the building trades. God bless electricians, building trades, for all of your work; my prayer will be directed towards your families and what you do for America,” said Minson.

Judi Simmons, president of the 9/11 Responders Remembrance Park, in a poignant voice said, “I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle and her children eight years ago… I have been able to watch Olivia grow into this extraordinary young woman, and I know that every moment she has not given Michelle any reason but to have love and joy and savors what life is about… we have this beautiful weather today with the sun shining because Glenn is looking down, beaming, with absolute pride with all that his daughter has done.”

In addition, Olivia is creating a video interviewing John Feal, Judi Simmons, and Sonia Agron, an EMT who served at Ground Zero, about those who have died from 9/11-related illnesses well after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack.