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Date: 9/9/2021
RUSSELL – The Boy Scouts of America Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation at 310 Birch Hill Road in Russell is hosting a 9/11 remembrance ceremony from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 11.
Art Lobdell, assistant scout executive for Western Massachusetts, said the event is open to scouts, families, friends and neighbors. He said everyone is encouraged to come when the gates open at 8 a.m., but asked that everyone arrive before 8:30 a.m.
The program begins at 8:40 a.m., and there will be small cannon discharge at the exact time when each of the towers were hit and when each of the towers fell, so organizers would prefer that everyone arrive before the ceremony begins.
Lobdell said it will be a fairly low-key event. Speakers include Dr. Mohammed Bajwa of the Islamic Center of Western Massachusetts, Council Commissioner Joshua Hall, Erik Davidson of Explorer Post 413 and Lobdell himself. There will be campfires lit, a bugler sounding off, and a flag presentation.
Lobdell said there will also be time for people to talk to each other and reflect, as he expects emotions around the 20th anniversary to run high. Online registration for the event is at www.wmascouting.org/9-11.
Parking will be in the main parking lot only. The Campmaster Trailer Area is reserved for public service vehicles. The event itself will take place in the amphitheater, which has low-to-ground seating as available, or people may bring camp chairs. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the dining hall. The Trading Post will be open during the event.
The 9/11 remembrance ceremony is co-hosted by Explorer Post 413, which serves youth 14 to 18 years of age interested in becoming first responders.
Lobdell said through the involvement of the Explorer post, emergency personnel from some surrounding towns will be participating in the ceremony, including acting Fire Chief Stuart Eggleston and the Russell Fire Department, and Chester-Blandford Police Chief Tammy Weidhaas and members of the shared Police Department.
Davidson said there will also be a recruitment at the Manor House after the ceremonies are over for families in the Hilltowns and surrounding towns interested in more information on the Hilltown First Responder Explorer Post 413.
The original World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, New York City, was destroyed during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, after being struck by two hijacked commercial airliners. One World Trade Center, the North Tower, was hit at 8:46 a.m. and collapsed at 10:28 a.m. Two World Trade Center, the South Tower, was hit at 9:03 a.m. and collapsed at 9:59 a.m.