Cities, towns never forget 9/11Date: 9/6/2011 Sept. 7, 2011
By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
Both Chicopee and Holyoke will be noting the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 with special events.
In Chicopee, the fifth annual deanery-wide Memorial Mass, honoring the memory of the victims of 9/11 will be offered at 5 p.m. at Saint Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan St.
This will be the only afternoon/evening Roman Catholic Mass that day in the city.
Those planning to attend are welcome to place their weekly parish envelopes in the offertory collection for distribution back to their home parishes. All cash collected, at this Mass, will be donated to Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry.
“Members of police and fire departments have been invited to attend, not only to thank them for their service, but also, by their presence, to honor the memory of those first responders, police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, who, selflessly, gave their lives in an attempt to save others on that tragic day. Similarly, members of veterans groups and current members of our military have been invited to thank them for their service, past and present, and, by their presence, to remember those members of our armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan as they have responded to the events of 9/11/01,” Bruce Broyles, chairman of the Deanery Pastoral Council-Hampden Central, wrote.
Broyles believes with the media attention on the 10th anniversary, the Mass will be well attended. St. Rose de Lima can accommodate almost 900 people.
He suggested the people considering attending Mass arrive a little early to make sure they will have a seat.
The public is invited to attend and there will be a reception immediately following the Mass that includes a light meal in the parish hall.
Ample parking is available both on-street, in the school parking lots across the street and at the nearby St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapel lots, located on Lafayette Street.
In Holyoke, Mayor Elaine Pluta is sponsoring a special observation of the day at Veterans’ Park on maple St. at 8:45 a.m.
Mayoral Aide Nilka Ortiz told Reminder Publications the hour-long event will be introduced by Ray Hershel of abc40 and FOX6 and will feature the Dean Technical High School color guard, Holyoke Boys and Girl Scout troops, the Holyoke High School band and Madrigal Chorus, veterans’ groups, the Caledonian Pipe Band, first responders and members of the armed forces.
The memorial will also include an ecumenical service.
She expects about 100 people to participate in the event, which will also include a fly-over by a F-15 fighter from the 104th Fighter Wing stationed at Barnes Air National Guard base in Westfield.
The memorial service is not only to remember those who lost their life that day, but also to pay tribute to local first responders.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be conducted at the War Memorial on Maple Street.
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