The American Club Christchurch - News and Events

We have several events coming up in the next few months. Please check back for details. .

September 11th Tribute to Firefighters' and Fallen Heroes

The Second Annual Tribute takes place at 11am on Saturday September 11, 2010, at the Firemens’ Reserve, corner of Kilmore and Madras Streets, in central Christchurch.

The reserve features girders from the World Trade Centre that were given to Christchurch by Mayor Bloomberg of New York “for memorial and historic purposes”.

Schedule of Events

Details of Proceedings regarding our Special Tribute follow below. We hope you can attend. Please bring your USA flags, and if you have Kiwi flags, bring them too, as this is a unifying ceremony. We are saluting all Firefighters and other First Responders who give their all to keep us safe, whether here in Christchurch, New Zealand or in the USA.  

        Paul Fifflick, Regional Security Officer representing US Ambassador Huebner who is overseas, has kindly agreed to join us for an American Club of Christchurch luncheon at The Bohemian Restaurant on Oxford Terrace, one block toward Manchester Street. This is a user pays luncheon. This will begin from 12 noon (approx)  http://www.bohemian.co.nz/ 

We need RSVPs for the luncheon by Thursday evening. Please email your reservation with names and numbers to admin1@american-club-chch.org

Proceedings for the American Club of Christchurch Second Annual Tribute to September 11 Fallen Heroes 2010

The Tribute takes place from 11am on Saturday 11 September 2010, at the Firemens’ Reserve, cormer of Kilmore and Madras Streets, in central Christchurch. Street parking should be readily available. Everyone who attends should be aware that the nearby historical Oxford Tce Baptist Church has been seriously damaged in our recent earthquake, and no one should cross the barrier.

The Reserve features girders from the World Trade Centre in New York that were gifted to Christchurch by Mayor Bloomberg “for memorial and historic purposes”. Its transformation into an artwork symbolic of the spirit and heroism of firefighters is told through Graham Bennett’s artistic process. The provenance of these raw, damaged steel girders was the 16 acres of what some call Ground Zero in downtown Manhattan, the monumental pyre of rubble that was left after the destruction and collapse of the World Trade Center in New York following the terrorist attacks or September 11, 2001, taking with it 343 New York firefighters. 

The recent major earthquake that has shocked Christchurch and Canterbury has also demonstrated the outstanding support our community enjoys from all First Responders – the dedicated firemen, police and ambulance personnel who have worked long hours “doing their duty.” They have gone far beyond duty! We can but try to imagine the severe trauma experienced by the citizens in New York City during their great tragedy nine years ago. 

The American Club of Christchurch is proud to present this commemorative service honouring both the First Responders of New York City, as well as the First Responders in our beautiful city, Christchurch in our recent shocking earthquake experience.

• 10.50am – Dignitaries assemble in the designated area.
  
  
• 11.00am – Murray Jamieson, local representative of the NZ Fire Department will be MC – he will describe the proceedings.
  
  
• Murray will then introduce Chris Chamberlain, Senior Minister at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church (severely damaged in the recent 7.1 earthquake) to give Blessing
  
  
• Councillor David Cox will then speak, representing Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker
  
  
• Murray will then introduce Paul Fifflick, Regional Security Officer representing US Ambassador Huebner who is overseas
  
  
• Dan Coward, official representative of the New Zealand Fire Service in Christchurch 
  
  
• Murray Jamieson then makes commemorative statement representing the heroic New York firefighters and all those who lost their lives in the Twin Towers’ tragedy on September 11 2001 
  
  
• The piper, William Adam Dunn from St Andrews’ College Pipe Band begins playing the lament
  
  
• The commemoration is completed
  
  
• Dignitaries then follow Murray Jamieson over to the Fire Department

4th of July Party

On Saturday, July 3rd, approximately 35 members of the American Club of Christchurch got together to celebrate the 4th of July at the home of Scott Loeffler (Club Treasurer) and Evelien Huismans on their 10 acre property. It was fabulous weather and the party was held outside. One of the highlights was homemade sausages from Scott's cattle grilled on the BBQ. Members also brought lots of delicious food that was shared and enjoyed by all.

The day was also a farewell party for Sean and Met Lonneker and their two kids who are moving back to the States as part of Sean's work in the Army. Sean (Club Vice President) and Met have been instrumental in getting the Club started and organising many Club events during their time in Christchurch. The annual Luau party will be sorely missed. We wish them all the best.

Pictures from the Deep Freeze C-17 tour

Flags hanging in the cargo area behind the flight deck

Miore pictures here

Pictures from the Thanksgiving party (More pics coming soon!)