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Date: 9/20/2023
SPRINGFIELD — “How long are we going to continue to do this [9/11] remembrance? The answer to how long we’re going to do it is as long as we are here,” said Spirit of Springfield Board Chair John Sjoberg.
Springfield police officers and firefighters, EMTs, state and city officials, employees and community members gathered on the morning of Sept. 11 at Riverfront Park, in front of the monument that honors the lives lost that day, exactly 22 years ago.
Mayor Domenic Sarno gave the greetings of the city, followed by a prayer from Father Gary Dailey, chaplain of the Springfield Fire Department.
Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood explained that there are two generations that are here now that were not here for 9/11.
“There are two generations of individuals out there that only know of the travesty and tragedy out there because of our stories … because of our books, our films and because of our memorials. They had no idea what happened that day. We have to keep that alive or the heroes, the civilians, the first responders, they didn’t die in vain, they did doing what they were sworn to do,” Clapprood said.
She continued, “How do we honor them? We honor them by remembering them.”
Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi shared a firefighter’s remembrance for the 343 New York City firefighters who lost their lives that day, along with an EMTs remembrance shared by American Medical Response Operations Manager Kimberly D’Angelo.
Major General Gary Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, shared that the importance of this day is to keep the focus on the first responders and the families who lost loved ones.
The ceremonial portion of the remembrance included the posting of the colors by the Springfield Police and Fire departments and the performance of the national anthem by Vanessa Ford.
Participants recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the ringing of the fire bells and the rollout of emergency vehicles on the bridge over the Connecticut River.
A wreath was laid in front of the monument by Calvi, Clapprood, Keefe and D’Angelo, along with a rifle salute by the police and the sounding of taps.
“This is our duty in the same manner that these first responders gave their duty. It’s now incumbent upon us to share this story and never forget. So, we will do this forever,” Sjoberg concluded.