Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘Coatesville remembers September 11th’
Museum holds service to commemorate victims of 2001 terrorist attacks
COATESVILLE » The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum held a “Coatesville Remembers September 11th” commemorative service Monday to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers.
The service occurred at the site of the Steelworkers’ Memorial, which is marked by one of the ten 50-ton World Trade Center steel tridents recovered by the museum in 2010. Lukens Steel built the 152 World Trade Center steel tridents which framed the first nine stories of the building, and became iconic images of the terrorist attacks in New York City – several of the steel tridents were the only pieces of the towers left standing after the attacks.
State Sen. Andrew Dinniman, among other speakers, honored the first responders who died during the attacks. Among the deceased were 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers and additionally, 55 military service members died when the Pentagon was attacked.
“September 11, 2001, is not only a constant reminder of the ongoing courage and sacrifice
of our local fire, emergency services, and law enforcement personnel, but it also serves as a poignant tribute to the indomitable strength of our nation when we resolve to unite and stand together against any challenge to freedom,” Dinniman said. “On that day and in the years that followed, we showed the world how strong we can be when we stick together and stand with each other in defense of our way of life.”
Dinniman, D-19, of West Whiteland, also thanked those who have served in the military before and after the attacks, and encouraged residents to take a moment today to remember those who gave their lives, as well as those who continue to serve in local fire, police and emergency services.
Dinniman, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Education Committee, said it’s important that students are taught about 9/11.
“For those of us who lived through September 11, 2001, there is no forgetting it,” he said. “But 16 years on, our teachers and schools have a responsibility to teach the attacks and their aftermath to a generation of students who weren’t born until afterward. We have an obligation to our young people and a sacred duty to the fallen to ensure that the story of 9/11 is told and that we continue to learn from it.”
State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. said that 9/11 “brings us together as a country and community.” Lewis, R-74, of Caln and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-16, of Lancaster County, both pointed out the country is coming together to help aid fellow Americans during the recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida.
Smucker asked attendees to remember the heroes because 9/11 was a “day of heroism and self-sacrifice, unlike anything the world has ever seen. God bless those who ran toward danger that day and continue to protect us.”
Coatesville Councilman Joseph Hamrick said a firstresponder is someone who wants to save lives and is willing to go out on the battlefield and risk their lives to do that.
“Sometimes people don’t understand what they go through,” Hamrick said. “Our police and firefighters are the most courageous people in government because they save lives.”
Chester County Commissioner Terrence Farrell reminded Americans that we are all in this together.
“As Americans, we have a common destiny,” he said.
Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone spoke of the juxtaposition between good and evil that was shown that day when people helped each other. She also was reminded of the lyrics from Bruce Springsteen’s song “The Rising.”
National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum historian Eugene DiOrio spoke about the 152 steel tridents which were made at the Lukens Steel mill. He also talked about how they made their way back.
“People were shocked that we were attacked. And we were shocked these steel supports came down,” but he added, “it is a celebration to strength of this country that we came together.”
James D. Ziegler, executive director of the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum, noted the sound of steelmaking going on in the mill behind the museum.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better backdrop to today’s service,” he said.
A bell rung six times during the morning service, followed each time by a moment of silence to mark times of historic significance involving the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93. The fourth hijacked airplane, Flight 93, crashed into an open field in Shanksville, Somerset County, when those onboard stopped the hijackers from reaching their target in Washington, D.C.
Following the service, visitors were able to take a free self-guided tour of the museum. The museum houses 28 pieces of steel from the wreckage of the World Trade Center – the largest such collection known in existence.