The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Communities remember 9/11 attack victims
Cities, communities and schools in Lorain County held ceremonies Sept. 11 to honor the memory of those who lost their lives during the terrorists attacks made on the same day 17 years ago.
Avon
The City of Avon held their Sept. 11 Ceremony in the parking lot of the police station. The ceremony included an invocation, lowering flags to half-staff, the ringing of the Last Alarm by the Avon Fire Department and the singing of “Amazing Grace” by the Avon High School Choir accompanied by bagpipes.
“Ordinary people did extraordinary things on that day,” said Avon Police Chief Richard Bosley. “We should always remember the people who lost their lives while trying to save as many people as they could.”
Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen challenged those in attendance to take time to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“There were people that had to call home to tell their loved ones they weren’t going to make it back that day,” he said. “We need to remember their sacrifice. I would not have the life I have had it not been for the brave men and women who responded that day. We need to keep telling the stories so their memory lives on.”
Gary Drellishak, of Avon, said it’s still surreal remembering Sept. 11 2001.
“You don’t realize how one day changed history,” he said. “It’s still crazy to think about.”
Susan Hill Brown, of Avon, said the ceremony was very emotional.
“It’s difficult when thinking about what happened,” she said. “We are so fortunate to live in this country where we have family and our faith. We must never forget what happened that day.”
Lorain County JVS
The Lorain County JVS also held a ceremony at their Sept. 11 Memorial which displays a support beam that was once part of the World Trade Center. The ceremony included a presenting of colors, the National Anthem, and a personal account of the events of that day.
“This day in 2001 was a very somber one,” said Lorain County JVS Superintendent Glenn Faircloth. “For as bad as that day was, something remarkable happened as a result. All U.S. forces and citizens stood together against terrorism. I hope young people learn, from today’s events and accounts by others, what it means to be an American citizen.”
Justin Frisce, civics instructor at the JVS and U.S. Navy veteran, told his account of what he experienced on that day.
“There was a full ship recall which means all sailors must return,” he said. “The situation carried such gravitas because it’s something that never happens. It was a day that we as Americans looked at our neighbors and got through it together.”
Frisce said he hopes the students learned something from the ceremony.
“I hope we continue to have this event every year,” he said. “High school seniors were born the year the attack happened. I fear there is a disconnect as each year passes. I want young people to hear other people’s stories and learn how we came together and didn’t fall apart.”
Michael Plechaty, 18, a senior who attends the JVS, said the ceremony was very emotional.
“I was a one-year-old when the attack happened,” he said. “I’m thankful for all the people who talk about the event. I appreciate the sacrifices that were made that day.”
Maria Haught, 17, a senior in the Public Safety Program at the JVS, said she hopes her peers appreciate the reason behind the ceremony.
“A lot of students at this school were either really young our not born yet,” she said. “We experience the severity of what happened through those who tell the stories.”
Honorary breakfast
Scrambled eggs, french toast, sausage and plates of cookies to share were served to local veterans during an honorary breakfast at 9 a.m. at the Kingston Residence of Vermilion, 6010 West Lake Rd..
“We like to celebrate our veterans in every way possible,” said the residence’s executive director Carolyn Joseph.
During the breakfast, a prolonged moment of silence and 9/11 prayer was provided by Kingston resident and retired St. Mary’s Church pastor Jim Holmer.
Tom Hoffman, 77, was one of several veterans that filled two tables of retired servicemen at the event. He,, along with his four brothers, were born and raised in Vermilion and all served at one point or another in their lives. Each one of them is alive today, with Hoffman’s oldest brother 92 years old.
“I think it’s a great honor. It’s good to see the other military people,” Hoffman said of the breakfast.
Hoffman himself served from 1959 to 1962 in Army Intelligence and was deployed to Anchorage, Alaska for 18 months. When Hoffman left the service, he missed Vietnam deployment by a month.
Joseph said that Kingston’s activities department made large platters of cookies for the local first-responders with the Vermilion Fire Department, Vermilion Police Department and North Central EMS.