WESTFIELD/SOUTHWICK—City officials and residents will be coming out next week to honor those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.
In Westfield, the city’s fire department will hold its annual ceremony of remembrance on Broad Street, Mayor Brian Sullivan will be holding a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Monument on North Elm Street and the Sons of Erin will be hosting a ceremony with family members of those who died on William Street, while the Southwick Fire Department will be holding their annual remembrance ceremony in Southwick, all on Sept. 11. And on Sept. 10, Westfield resident Ron Cross will be making a 16-mile walk within the city in memory of those who died.
For Cross, the walk is his second annual, with the first going 15 miles last year. This year it will go 16 miles, with each mile representing a year from the tragedy.
Ron Cross
According to Cross, the 16-mile walk will be in remembrance of the those who died in the attacks, including Dan Trant, Brian Murphy and Tara Creamer Westfield, and Melissa Harrington from West Springfield.
“It’s mainly for the local victims but it is to remember all,” Cross said. “All the families, all the first responders. I made a vow and a promise to keep their spirits alive and that’s how I’m going to do it.”
He added, “it’s my own personal way, the core message is to never forget and to keep their spirits alive.”
Cross said that anyone is invited to walk along with him for whatever amount of distance they would like, and no donations are being sought for the activity and no competition is being held.
“This is not a competition, this is not a race, we aren’t raising any money, it’s a walk in order to remember,” he said. “I want people to really reflect on that tragic day and the families of those victims.”
Cross said that those who wish to participate can convene between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 10, at Park Square. He said he hopes to open with a prayer.
Flowers adorn the 9-11 Remembrance Wall at the Sons of Erin during a previous gathering to remember Westfield natives Tara K. Creamer, Brian J. Murphy and Daniel P. Trant whom were all killed in the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. (WNG file photo)
The walk will start at 8:46 a.m., he said, when the first tower was struck.
From there, Cross said he will traverse to Stanley Park’s Carillon Tower, where he will convene for two moments of peace at 9:59 a.m. and 10:28 a.m., the times of each tower falling.
From Stanley Park, Cross said that he will then head to the Westfield Police Department on Washington Street to honor officers. Then, he will head to the Air National Guard at Barnes Regional Airport to honor military service members, before ending at the Westfield Fire Department fire station on Broad Street.
On Sept. 11, in Westfield, at 9:45 a.m., the Westfield Fire Department will hold its annual ceremony of reflection and remembrance in honor of fallen first responders at Fire Headquarters on Broad Street.
Members of the Southwick Fire and Police Departments are present for the 2016 9/11 ceremony. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
And at 12:30 p.m., Sullivan will be laying a wreath at the 9/11 Monument on North Elm Street. He will be joined by families of those from Westfield “who fell victim to the attacks,” according to the city’s website.
Then, in Southwick, the fire department’s remembrance ceremony will begin at 9:45 a.m. at the Southwick Fire Department headquarters on Depot Street. According to the town’s website, the ceremony will be “honoring the extraordinary heroism, commitment and sacrifice of the 9-11 victims, rescuers and their families and paying special tribute to the 343 Fire Fighters and Paramedics who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.”
The ceremony will include a flag-raising and lowering, as well as prayer and a moment of silence.
Finally, back in Westfield, the Sons of Erin will begin their anniversary ceremony of 9/11 starting at 6 p.m., at their facility on William Street, according to a press release from the group. The ceremony will feature the National Anthem sung by Shea Braceland, of Westfield, with Mayor Sullivan speaking before special remarks presented by the Barnes Air National Guard 104th Fighter Wing’s Commander Col. Jame Suhr. Also in attendance will be family members of the three people from Westfield who died in the attacks.
Following the ceremony Irish music will be played by The Bards.
