The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Area commemorates 20th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks
“We must honor our fallen brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.” — Oneida Fire Chief Dennis Fields
ONEIDA, N.Y. » Residents and officials gathered in front of city hall, the front of which was embellished with hundreds of American flags, to commemorate the attacks of 9/11 20 years ago.
Oneida Fire Chief Dennis Fields said that of the 2,977 American lives lost that day, 343 were firefighters. This number was represented by the flags placed on the front lawn.
“As firefighters, we run in when everyone else runs out. It’s what we are trained to do — no matter the risk, no matter the challenge,” Fields said. This act of bravery is what firefighters do every day.
“That is why it is so vitally important that we remember those lost on this terrible day 20 years ago and continue to lose each day,” he continued. Many first responders and others who survived that day face health ailments due to the debris they were exposed to. An additional 250 firefighters have been lost due to cancer related to the attacks, Fields said.
“We must honor our fallen brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities,” he said.
Throughout the ceremony, a bell was wrong four times, each ring symbolizing one of the planes that crashed on 9/11.
One at the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m.
One at the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 a.m.
One at the Pentagon at 9:31 a.m.
And one that was flown into the ground at Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m.
“On that day Sept. 11, 2001, we had the most cowardly attacks on our nation in a deliberate act of terrorism,” Oneida Mayor Helen Acker stated.
Of the heroes lost, including the 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers and 55 military personnel were also taken, she said. A number of civilians also perished.
“They tested us. They tried to scare us. They tried to pull us apart as a nation,” Acker said. “They were wrong.”
She reflected on the courage and solidarity displayed by America in response. “We came together as one. Our first responders came together. Our friends and family came together. Our neighbors came together. We all, as a nation, came together to rebuild and start anew.”
Many can recall exactly where they were on September 11, 2001, when the news of the attacks first broke. “I remember calling work and asking if we would be going down to help,” said Oneida Police Chief John Little. Many first responders and volunteers all had the same idea. “They were being Americans,” he remarked.
“Our own Oneida PD retiree and undersheriff Doug Bailey was one of those people. He went to Ground Zero. He’s faced health problems because of it, like so many others,” he said.
The sacrifice, unity, and compassion shown by fellow Americans on and after that day is incredible, Little said. “We saw what it truly means to be American.”
Memorial wreaths were placed on behalf of the police and fire departments. While a member of the fire department played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
The benediction was given by Deacon James Chappell. He was the city’s mayor at the time of 9/11, a day he said sticks with him.
“Watch over and protect those men and women who have stepped forward and sworn to protect their communities and their nation. Keep them safe from harm, and let them always be assured of our concern and appreciation for their sacrifices,” he said in prayer.
Acker said in closing, “Please remember to teach your children and grandchildren what America is and what we stand for. And never ever forget 9/11, 2001.”