A report on the 9/11 event at the Gasport Marina...
9/11: Area residents mark the seventh anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001
With songs, flags and moments of silence and reflection, residents marked the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on Thursday.
In the afternoon, Absolut Care of Gasport held its seventh annual Sept. 11 memorial at the Gasport Marina. The program was expanded this year to include student musicians from the Royalton-Hartland School District, as well as the Niagara County Bicentennial Committee.
Absolut Care’s community liaison Helen Feron said she was glad to see the students get involved. “It’s seven years, already. A lot of these kids won’t remember where they were or how they felt,” she said. “I think this helps to keep that alive, because it should never be forgotten.”
To honor the county’s bicentennial, each organization participating in the event had a display about its history. At the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department table, it was a “then and now” approach, with pictures of deputies from decades ago placed next to pictures of deputies today. The Terry’s Corners Fire Department brought its yellow 1942 fire truck.
“I think 9/11 brought to everyone’s attention how important our first responders are in our own communities,” said David Denny, Absolut Care administrator. “I think it’s important they get recognized for it. Most of them are volunteers, they don’t even get paid for it.”
Absolut Care also remembered its residents who have passed away this year, displaying their names and dropping a flower into the canal for each one. “Many of these folks listed here, they’re heroes to their families, and to us,” Feron said. “We’ve had the privilege of serving them during their stay with us, and we feel it’s important to honor them and remember them.”
State Trooper Rebecca Gibbons was staffing the New York State Police table at the marina, featuring photos of troopers in action throughout the years. Gibbons said she was pleased to see community members gathering to remember Sept. 11. “We want to be here to remember the people that lost their lives to save others,” Gibbons said. “I think it’s important to remember, too, the people who maybe aren’t law enforcement, but who risked their lives that day, and lost their lives that day, to help another person.”
Niagara County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Voutour said he thought the event was a nice way to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the defense of others. “That’s the beauty of America,” he said. “Really, freedom doesn’t have any price. Whatever it takes to keep our citizens free, that’s what we do.”
Overall, the theme of the afternoon could be summed up in one phrase: Never forget.
“I think it’s important for all the communities to remember that it was the worst terrorist attack on our soil in history,” Denny said. “I think it’s important we don’t lose sight of that.”
Source: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_256015543.html
9/11: Area residents mark the seventh anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001
With songs, flags and moments of silence and reflection, residents marked the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on Thursday.
In the afternoon, Absolut Care of Gasport held its seventh annual Sept. 11 memorial at the Gasport Marina. The program was expanded this year to include student musicians from the Royalton-Hartland School District, as well as the Niagara County Bicentennial Committee.
Absolut Care’s community liaison Helen Feron said she was glad to see the students get involved. “It’s seven years, already. A lot of these kids won’t remember where they were or how they felt,” she said. “I think this helps to keep that alive, because it should never be forgotten.”
To honor the county’s bicentennial, each organization participating in the event had a display about its history. At the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department table, it was a “then and now” approach, with pictures of deputies from decades ago placed next to pictures of deputies today. The Terry’s Corners Fire Department brought its yellow 1942 fire truck.
“I think 9/11 brought to everyone’s attention how important our first responders are in our own communities,” said David Denny, Absolut Care administrator. “I think it’s important they get recognized for it. Most of them are volunteers, they don’t even get paid for it.”
Absolut Care also remembered its residents who have passed away this year, displaying their names and dropping a flower into the canal for each one. “Many of these folks listed here, they’re heroes to their families, and to us,” Feron said. “We’ve had the privilege of serving them during their stay with us, and we feel it’s important to honor them and remember them.”
State Trooper Rebecca Gibbons was staffing the New York State Police table at the marina, featuring photos of troopers in action throughout the years. Gibbons said she was pleased to see community members gathering to remember Sept. 11. “We want to be here to remember the people that lost their lives to save others,” Gibbons said. “I think it’s important to remember, too, the people who maybe aren’t law enforcement, but who risked their lives that day, and lost their lives that day, to help another person.”
Niagara County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Voutour said he thought the event was a nice way to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the defense of others. “That’s the beauty of America,” he said. “Really, freedom doesn’t have any price. Whatever it takes to keep our citizens free, that’s what we do.”
Overall, the theme of the afternoon could be summed up in one phrase: Never forget.
“I think it’s important for all the communities to remember that it was the worst terrorist attack on our soil in history,” Denny said. “I think it’s important we don’t lose sight of that.”
Source: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_256015543.html
