May 17, 2012City Hosts Setptember 11 Memorial Service
(Sunday, September 11, 2011) - Mayor Sam Teresi, at the podium, welcomes the attendees to the City of Jamestown's Memorial Service remembrance of those who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The short, solemn service included a motorcade of rescue vehicles, bag pipers playing Amazing Grace, a bugler playing taps, and local Boy Scout troops lowering the flags on Tracy Plaza.
For more pictures, view the photo album.
Courtesy the Jamestown Post-Journal, Monday Sept. 12, 2011:
Service Provides Bond with Sept. 11
By Jason Rodriguez
Years from now, it is possible that Patriot Day could easily become the anti-Labor Day - a stinging reminder that the warmth of summer is truly gone, confirmed by the foggy memory of a nation's terrible loss.
But not Sunday.
In the city of Jamestown, a unified gathering of area politicians, officers of public safety and the bright faces of tomorrow's civic leaders stood as a testament to what could be viewed as the best of the American spirit. Unity was the prevailing theme of the day, 10 years after the Sept. 11 attacks.
In a gesture that was synonymous with President Obama's own invitation that same morning at ground zero, Mayor Sam Teresi asked that all area politicians joined him behind the podium to officiate the service. He was joined by state Assemblyman Andy Goodell, City Council President Greg Rabb and other councilmen, and members of the county legislature.
"I have one hope, I have one prayer today," Teresi said. "And that simple prayer is this: that the leaders of our nations, the leaders of our world, and most importantly all of us in our hearts and our minds, continue to seek that unity, cooperation, and that cause of love that was on display later in that day and in the days and weeks following. May we somehow find that and display that in our daily lives."
In her invocation, the Rev. Amy Rohler also embraced the fraternity found in response to the tragedy.
"These were days of sacrifice and unity, when strangers showed hospitality to each other and we our brothers' and sisters' keepers," she said.
The central flag at Tracy Plaza was lowered to the tune of "Taps," while the Jamestown Fire Department Color Guard, and scores of similar flag bearers from the Boy Scouts stood at attention.
Among those officers young and old was a recent retiree from the New York City Fire Department, who is now a local resident.
FDNY RECOLLECTION
"My whole company was called in after the Sept. 11, and we all responded with the first 12 hours of the attack." said James Walsh.
Though on that Tuesday in 2001 it was his 43rd birthday, Walsh said he was still on the previous shift in the Washington Heights of upper Manhattan. At a routine house call, he watched with his crew partner and homeowner as the first images of the World Trade Center attack appeared on television. Then the south tower was hit by United Airlines Flight 175.
"At first I thought that was a replay, and realizing it wasn't a replay I thought of Pearl Harbor. I thought we were under attack," said Walsh. "I ran home and on the radio I heard us being recalled. I had a little bite to eat with my family - it was my birthday - and I drove (back to the station)."
Walsh added his 18-year tenure at the time included a response to the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. He said his company was prepared thereafter.
"I knew exactly where our apparatus was going to be parked, I knew exactly where our command post was going to be set up," he said. "I pretty much knew the drill: we were going to be filling those buildings with firemen, trying to help people get out, and ultimately our goal was to put that fire out."
When the towers collapsed, Walsh said his company at Ladder 34 was trying to identify which of its members may have been among the first responders. Ultimately, the devastating news about many comrades in other units was confirmed.
"It was just incredible seeing the names of people that I knew that were down there. As we reflect today, I just try to remember was their faces were like. And I can only imagine what they felt like when ... they were going up those floors."