Many remember the 911 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers as it happened in New York City on September 11, 2001 or the crash of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. My recollection of the 911 terrorist attack on our country centers on the moment a plane, that had been commandeered by terrorists, plowed into the Pentagon in Washington, DC that same day. We lost friends, co-workers and loved ones in that attack.

I was in downtown Washington D.C., across the river from the Pentagon — at work. Our security officer interrupted a meeting I was in to let us know there had been an incident. I’ll never forget as we watched the news as it unfolded, gathered together in one of the conference rooms — reacting in horror as the Twin Towers were taken out by the first and then later the second of two planes and then we received news that another plane had crashed into the Pentagon.

The phone rang in one of the cubicles near where I was standing and I was asked to answer it. On the other end of the line was my concerned husband who had been trying to locate me after he heard the news. He told me to “Get out of Dodge.” I left the building immediately after hanging up and hurried to the nearest Metro Station. There was black smoke in the sky and the sound of sirens filled the air. Terrified, I stepped onto what would be the last Metro out of town that day — as there were several terror-related incidents that forced the closure of the system soon after I had made it on board the train I took out of the city.

No one spoke during that quiet and somber commute from Washington D.C. into the Maryland suburbs. We were too frightened to speak. I arrived home and received word from my son’s school that parents had been asked to pick up their children as soon as possible. I left my home and found my son among the students gathered in the main office where the school principal was serving cookies to anxious parents and students. After my son and I returned home, we turned on the news, staring in disbelief as the images of the horrific take down of the Twin Towers and the crash into the Pentagon repeated over and again — an endless cycle of smoke, fire, twisted metal, ashes, and human death that I will never forget.

My mother was alive back then; she called me on the phone shortly after we arrived home and told me that we were at war and this would be a day that none would ever forget. She was right. I wore a little silver locket that I had engraved with the words, “In God We Trust” in the shape of a cross for several years after 911 in honor of those who died on that day. I still have that locket. I forever mourn their loss. I learned later that a family friend had been the pilot whose life was lost in the Pentagon crash and we’d not see him again. I watched his sister many times on television petitioning for the 911 memorial that today stands in the place of the gaping hole that was left in the wake of the 911 tragedy in New York.

We are a Nation united, we stand behind our flag and honor those whose lives were lost that day and the first responders who risked their lives to save others. We cannot and will not forget 911.

-- Marie Rundquist
September 11, 2024

The Acadian World Congress is a huge cultural event that mixes history, genealogy, and culture, with art, entertainment, music, and dancing, and thousands of people with Acadian surnames in their lines attend.  It is not unusual for someone to hand you a printed copy of a genealogy with an entire surname line documented.  Well, that's one way of finding out if you're related - on the spot! The Congress, which is held every five years, took place in Nova Scotia in 2024.

While culture, history, and heritage factored in the formal programming, and many were eager to share what they knew of their surnames and family lines with friends and relatives there, the Congrès 2024 main attraction, as I observed, was, simply put, "to have a whole lot of fun."

And there was a whole lot of fun to be had all around:  Whether you were sampling the regional cuisine, learning how to speak Acadian French from a local, or dancing to the irresistible beat of an Acadian - Cajun band, a delightful experience for all was almost guaranteed.   Thousands of Acadian diaspora who attended the Congrès  partied non-stop, day and night, all week long, and we were delighted to be a part of it all!

Adding to the mix, there were other events of our own making -- including an excursion to Mavillette Beach, dinner at Robichaud's, a quick visit to the mysterious Shag Harbor, a walk through the magical "Le Petit Bois" with Mrs. Theriault, a cook-out at Hectanooga, a visit to a War Memorial in Digby, and crafting and conversation with the Thimots.

One of the highlights of our week was attending the Louisiana Cajun music / dancing /and a taste of Gumbo party at Le Richelieu, hosted by Brenda and Ray Trahan. How about that Les Amis du Teche Cajun band? They got everyone out on the floor!

The photos and stories shared here capture only a part of the Congrès mondial acadien 2024 international celebration.  All in all, we were extremely grateful to have been able to be a part of the events, meetings, dinners, suppers, morning, afternoon, and evening coffees, cook-outs, and reunions we had with our dearest friends and family.

So many of us who attended were able to bring our grown children into the mix as well (they are our next generation) and I am so very thankful that they were able to make the trip to Nova Scotia to meet with one another! Memories were made and friendships were forged that week that will last a lifetime -- and, if we're lucky, maybe beyond!

In closing, I give a "Grand Merci" to our hosts the Theriaults, to our friends, and to our big, huge, extended family who made our stay in Southwestern Nova Scotia a joy and a delight.  You made us all feel truly "at home."

... And now for the photos and just a few stories:

After crossing the US-Canadian border at Calais, we stayed the night at a delightful camp in Sussex, New Brunswick.  The next morning, we drove the camper into Saint John where we took the ferry to Digby, Nova Scotia -- the "Scallop Capital of the World!"

After spending the day in meetings on the 10th of August, we boarded a specially chartered shuttle bus, checked in at the gate, and made our way to the CMA opening ceremonies at Sainte-Anne's.  The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as crowds gathered, with more than a few sporting CMA 2024 hats, tee-shirts, and Acadian bling. This was the start of the first CMA in the Clare, Argyle, and Yarmouth area in twenty years!

Hurricane Debby brought high wind gusts and pounding rain only hours before, causing cancellations and delaying flights into the region, but by the time the opening program got underway, at about 6 p.m. on Saturday evening, only a little bit of drizzle remained in the area.

Aside from the one night when Hurricane Debby passed through the area, and I worried our camper would take flight with us inside (it didn't!), we enjoyed spectacularly beautiful weather while camping on Baie Sainte Marie (St. Mary's Bay) and during our stops at Shag Harbour and Mavillette Beach.

Shag Harbour is an amazing place with an incredible story involving a UFO that crashed into the water there.  If you know someone in the area, ask them to take you to Shag Harbour.  If you're lucky, they may tell you a little bit more about what happened that night, and who was involved, than what you may read on the signs.  The museum is a must-to-visit as well. No trip to Nova Scotia is complete without a stop at the mystical Shag Harbour in Barrington (at least in my opinion!)

We enjoyed a taste of home-made gumbo, and danced to live, Cajun music at the Louisiana party at Le Richelieu, held on Monday night, August 12th. Mostly women danced there because the venue was at capacity, and the men had to hold on to their seats!

Adding to the exchange of heritage and culture, the Thimots hosted us for a day of crafting and conversation. Here, Daniel shares what's inside of his own, personal DNA.

We gathered together with a mix of friends and cousins for dinner, music, and general celebration at La Cuisine Robicheau's (aka "Robicheau's) on the the evening of Tintamarre (August 15th) -- a time when Acadians make a whole lot of noise!  We all cheered as vehicle after vehicle, each festooned with Acadian colors and honking their horns, passed by.

One afternoon at Le Petit Bois, guided by Mrs. Theriault, we followed one pathway and then another through a peaceful, wooded glade near Sainte-Anne's Campus. If you are very patient, quiet, and calm, you may be able to feed the birds there, as we did, right from the palm of your hand!

We end our "petite partie" with a visit to the World War Memorial in Digby, Nova Scotia, erected in honor of Canadian servicemen who fought in World War I, World War II, and in Korea.  Acadian genealogists may note Acadian surnames as they appear on both the World War I and World War II memorial plaques.

September 3, 2024: Just added several photos contributed by friends and cousins to my "Une Petite Partie" blog since posting about a week ago. Also mentioned the name of the must-visit restaurant where we gathered on the 15th of August: La Cuisine Robicheau's (aka "Robicheau's).

Cite: Willett, M. (2024, July 15th). "Library hosts author to reveal DNA research." WHSV News. https://www.whsv.com/2024/07/14/library-hosts-author-reveal-dna-research/

Thank you, Mason Willett, and WHSV News for excellent coverage and for accurately representing what has come to be my life's work. Thank you, Bev, and presentation organizers, for inviting me to present!

Mason interviewed me right after I had finished giving a presentation on a very hot Sunday afternoon, on the 14th of July, down here in the Valley.

My late grandmother, Asselia S. Lichliter, who inspired the research which led to the uncovering of a hidden, North American - Native American - Acadian - Cajun family history, would have been so delighted to know that I have had so much fun following in her footsteps and making all of these discoveries about ancestors hidden in mine, and others, family trees.

"The sun never sets on DNA Genealogy History." She would have agreed with that statement!

Make plans to visit the museums newest “Homelands: Native Nations of Allegheny" exhibition, that opened on the 22nd of June.  The exhibit was created in collaboration with the Delaware, Seneca, Seneca-Cayuga and Shawnee tribes.

Link to: Miller, N.R. (2024, June 24). "History of Western Pennsylvania American Indian tribes explored in new Fort Pitt Museum exhibit." https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/history-western-pennsylvania-american-indian-tribes-explored-new-fort-pitt-museum-exhibit/BOENWB6OWBHP3NGXVKKBTRRZ5A/