Remembering 9/11

By Alberto Surís

The City of Lawrence remembered 9/11 2001 with a solemn ceremony held on September 11, 2013 at Central Station.

After the request of one minute of absolute silence by Fire Lt. James Flynn acting as MC a commemorative flag was raised to honor the 343 New York Firefighters who lost their lives on that tragic day. A firefighter hat bearing the #343 was placed next to the flag pole.

“The New York Firefighters were faced with an impossible situation. I can’t say enough about the heroism demonstrated that day for the first responders”, said Lawrence Fire Department Chief Jack Bergeron and went on to explain that the worst scenario a firefighter can face is a fire in the upper floors of a high-rise building.

Speaking at the event, Reverend William Waters, Lawrence Fire Department Chaplain, recalled how people came together and filled the churches united in their grief. “I agreed with what Reverend Waters just said, people came together during those days, although we shouldn’t wait for a tragedy like that to come together,” said Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua, ending with a thank you note to all who served then and all who are serving to keep us safe now.

To honor his fallen comrades Lawrence Deputy Chief Brian Murphy read the poem “We Shall Never Forget,” authored by Alan Jankowski, reproduced in its entirety on page 2.

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