Patriot Day observance in Iditapark

Sept. 9, 2005

MARY AMES\Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - Several bands will be on hand at Iditapark Sunday afternoon, and they will be playing for free.

"When I heard about this, I was happy to jump on board," said Suzy Crosby, who, with two other women, make up the gospel bluegrass trio Mountain Wax Wings.

Why would musicians, who rarely get rich even with regular bookings, play for free? For a good cause.

This event will be a memorial celebration and an opportunity to give to the victims of Hurricane Katrina at Honor Garden in Iditapark from 1-5 p.m.

The way event organizer Marty Metiva sees it, you can bring a lawn chair, hear some wonderful music and donate food, clothes or money to send to those in need along the Gulf Coast.

"This is such an important day in the history of our country. It's important we don't forget this as a country," Metiva said, referring to the date, and the name of the event, Patriot Day, a Day to Remember.

President Bush declared Sept. 11 Patriot Day in 2002, calling on people to hold commemorative ceremonies and activities. Metiva was already planning such an event.

"And then came the devastation of Hurricane Katrina," Metiva said. "Whoever would have thought we'd have refugees in the U.S.? This is a way for good to come out of it. This isn't a redirect, but making it all encompassing, to have some good come out of it by raising money, food and clothes to send down there."

There are lots of ties in the Valley to the Gulf Coast too, he said, mentioning his sister in New Orleans. And, he said, the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce is in contact with the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. The chamber there will accept donations gathered from this event.

The fire department will be passing the hat for cash and check donations, according to Metiva, and checks can be made out to the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce.

Several area bands are donating their time so you can have a good time. In addition to the Mountain Wax Wings, The Carhart Brothers, Mike Olsen, Ten Mile Junction and the Ken Peltier Band will play. And the last haunting notes of the day will be Amazing Grace played on a bagpipe by Rich Oswald.

"I'm selective about where I play," Oswald said. "It has to be in the public interest as a whole and benefit the greater good of mankind."

Mike Olsen felt the same way when he was approached to play.

"I do any kind of charity that honors people; I'm all about that," Olsen said. "This is for a great cause and for great meaning, to honor everybody involved, from the rescuers to the people who cleaned up."

Alaskan Splendor Limousines will have their Hummer limo at the event, giving people $10 rides and donating that money to the cause also.

Metiva could still use some help. He'd like to have people volunteer to set up before and clean up afterward. Another big help, he said, would be assistance in getting the goods to the Gulf. If individuals or businesses can find aid in sending things down, the money raised at this event can go directly to the victims instead of being spent on shipping and handling.

Mary Ames can be reached

at 352-2284 or mary.ames@

frontiersman.com.