West of the River communities plan 9/11 remembrancesDate: 9/7/2011 Sept. 7, 2011
By Debbie Gardner
Assistant Editor
GREATER SPRINGFELD — Across America, cities and towns are preparing to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Sept 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorist attacks that brought down the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, damaged the Pentagon in Arlington, Va, and sent United Airlines Flight 93 spiraling into a field near Shanksville, Penn.
Western Massachusetts is no exception. Listed below are the locations and times for the Sept. 11 ceremonies planned in the cities and towns served by the Metro edition of The Reminder.
Agawam
Agawam Fire Chief Alan Sirois said he is expecting a larger than usual turnout for his town’s Sept. 11 observance, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Fire Department Headquarters at 800 Main St.
“It’s on a Sunday and more people will be available, and it is a 10-year anniversary,” Sirois noted, adding that plans for this year’s ceremony include remarks by both State Sen. James Welch and Rep Nicholas Boldyga, in addition to speeches by himself and Mayor Richard Cohen, and prayers led by Rev. Earl E. Eisenbach and Father Bill Hamilton. The Agawam High School Band and bagpiper Lt. B.J. Calvi, a member of the Agawam Fire Department, will provide the musical portions of the ceremony.
Sirois said while remembering those who died in the attacks with a candlelight ceremony and wreath-laying at the department’s 9/11 monument, his town’s event will also include a “remembrance for the emergency responders” that will include the “striking of the four fives the ringing of a bell in remembrance of fallen firefighters.”
Southwick
Southwick Fire Chief Richard Anderson said his department would follow a Sept. 11 observance on this 10th anniversary year that closely adheres to the model suggested by the State Fire Marshall’s office.
“At 9:55 we roll out all the [Fire Department] apparatus in front of the station and at 10 a.m. all Fire Department personnel assemble for a moment of silence,” Anderson said. “We then lower the station flag to half mast, say a couple of prayers, ring the bell, and return to service.”
Anderson said the public is invited to join the Fire Department for the ceremony at its 15 Depot St. station, noting that several residents have attended the observance “every year.”
West Springfield
West Springfield Veterans Services Director James Berrelli Jr. said his town’s 10th anniversary observance of Sept. 11 would take place on the Town Green on Park Street, near the memorial to World Trade Tower victim and former West Springfield resident, Melissa Harrington.
“We muster at 8:30 a.m, and the ceremony begins at 8:42 a.m.,” Berrelli said.
Among the organizations he said will be participating in the ceremony are the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, the West Springfield Veteran’s Council Honor Guard, the West Springfield High School band and representatives from the 104th Air National Guard unit stationed at Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield. Scheduled speakers include State Sen., James Welch, Rep. Michael Finn, Legislative Aid Nicholas Powers, representing U. S. Sen. Scott Brown and Dr, Frederick Conlin, Jr. president of the West Springfield Veterans Council.
Veterans of Foreign Wares (VFW) Post 6714 spokesperson Darlene Dennoi said Catholic Deacon Jim Conroy, Baptist Pastor Bob Smith, Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts Iman Abdul Wassam Baki, Cantor Elise Barber from Temple Beth El in Springfield and Justice of the Peace Gary Boisseau would be participating the religious portion of the ceremony.
She also said Bob Harrington, father of Melissa, is expected to attend.
“He’s always there,” she noted. “He usually says a few words at the end.”
Westfield
Sons of Erin Vice President Pat Murphy, chairman of the club’s annual Sept 11 Remembrance Ceremony, said the event will take place in front of the club’s Pavilion at 22 Williams St., on Sept. 11 beginning at 3 p.m.
Murphy said the ceremony would include a flyover by members of the 104th Fighter Unit of the Air National Guard unit stationed at Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield, a performance by the Holyoke Caledonian Pipe and Drum Band, and remarks by Congressman John Olver, Lt. Gov. Tim Murrayand city dignitaries including Mayor Daniel Knapik . Contingents from the city’s Police and Fire Departments will also attend, he added.
Murphy said he also expected the families of Westfield’s three Sept 11 victims – Tara Kathleen Shea Creamer, Brian Joseph Murphy, (no relation) and Daniel Patrick Trant – to attend.
“Mrs. Trant is in Florida, [but] she comes up every year,” Murphy said. “The only place she can see her son’s name is here on the monument [at the Sons of Erin.]”
Murphy, who organized the club’s first Sept. 11 ceremony 10 years ago and designed the memorial and remembrance walkway now part of the club’s grounds, said he will also be conducting a raffle during this year’s event to raise money to enhance the site.
“We’re trying to acquire a stone bench for in front of the memorial,” Murphy said. “We have a bronze monument for 9/11 that we will be raffling off to raise money.
The statue, which Murphy said was cast by a bronze maker in Ireland, depicts a firefighter, a policeman and a soldier. Raffle tickets, which will be available at the event, will be priced at three for $1.
Following the 40 to 50-minute ceremony, Murphy said the club would provide hamburgers and hot dogs and entertainment by The Bards in the pavilion.
Debbie Gardner can be reached by e-mail at debbieg@thereminder.com
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