City marks anniversary of Sept. 11
WOONSOCKET – The terrorist attack on the United States by airliner occurred 16 years ago now, but as Fire Chief Paul Shatraw observed during Woonsocket’s annual remembrance ceremony on Monday— it is something that can never be put aside.
“For all of us here today, we know that forever, the phrase 9/11 will hold a special meaning, a memory of a moment in our history when the world as we knew it changed forever,” Shatraw said as the ceremony was held at Fire Department headquarters on Cumberland Hill Road.
“It is fitting that every year on Sept. 11, we all stand here together to honor the memory of the more than 3,000 people who died that horrific day,” Shatraw said. The chief then asked everyone gathered, city officials, Woonsocket’s General Assembly delegation, members of the clergy, members of the Police and Fire Departments and local residents, to stand for a moment of silence. It was a gesture made, he said, “as a tribute to
those lives cut short and as a symbol of our support for all the empty places left behind in the hearts of those still living.”
For Monday, the moment of silence would also pay tribute to all the people affected by the hurricanes roaring through the Caribbean and through the United States, the chief said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you,” he offered.
The memorial thoughts voiced in the fire station for the victims of the attack on the planes, at the Pentagon and in the World Trade Center tower in New York City, the firefighters, police, Port Authority and Corrections officers all lost in the attacks also took note of the service that had been given to the country that day as an example of the highest service any first responder can give a community.
Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt noted that example while praising her own community’s first responders and promising to continue supporting them with the equipment and training they need to do their jobs.
“We have the finest police department and fire department I’ve observed in the State of Rhode Island and we are very, very fortunate to have wonderful public safety officials led by Chief Thomas Oates and Chief Paul Shatraw under the direction of Public Safety Director Eugene Jalette,” she said.
“You hear why do you need these certain things and certain apparatus and equipment and whatever else is needed for our police and fire, and it is for the days like 911 and the days we are encountering now in Florida and encountering in Texas,” Baldelli-Hunt said. “Because if you are not prepared, then you have failed your community. And as mayor of the city, I will always stand by the police officers, the firefighters who bring our safety to us at the end of the day,” she said. “You only realize how much you need them when you make that call and you are hopeful that they are there in a matter of seconds,” Baldelli-Hunt said.
Oates said he found it hard to believe that Sept. 11, had occurred 16 years ago as of Monday.
“The events of that day not only changed the lives of the families and friends of those killed in that first terrorism attack. It would also change the way that we live and do things and the memories that we hold,” Oates said.
Oates also pointed to a need to support the first responders of today and told the gathering how it has been difficult to serve as a police officer more recently.
“Being a police officer in this country has never been more dangerous than the last year or so, several attacks, uniformed police officers that were killed simply because they were wearing the uniform,” Oates said.
“In spite of this, all police remain dedicated to protect and serve in the community that they work for. They do their jobs because they know how important it is to our society. At times they are taken for granted. The public goes about their activities knowing they can get help at an emergency situation by merely picking up the telephone,” the chief said.
“Imagine a society where that wasn’t possible. Unfortunately it seems the only time that the public does take notice is when anything happens to a first responder, when they are killed or seriously injured,” he said.
“Today, as we reflect on those we lost on Sept. 11, we should also think about the men and women who are out there right now doing the job that they doing, not knowing what the next hour or so may bring.”
The ceremony also included an invocation by Rev. Daniel Sweet, and benediction by the Rev. Hershon Gonzalez, both chaplains for the Police and Fire Departments.
Brooks Shatraw sang the National Anthem, and Richard Schatz, president of the United Veterans Council of Woonsocket, led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance.