SOUTHWICK – A ceremony remembering 9/11 took place at the Southwick Fire Department on Sunday. The ceremony included members of the Southwick Fire and Police Departments as well as being open to the public. The event honored the many lives that were lost on September 11, 2001.
Several people in the community were present from all ages and town officials also attended the ceremony. The amount of people that showed up goes a long way for the individuals whose main priority is to protect and serve their community.
“I think the great turnout shows that people do care, they’re not forgetting,” said Southwick Fire Department Chief Russ Anderson. “They remember the events of 9/11.”
Chief Anderson started off the ceremony with a welcoming speech. The speech was then followed by the ringing of the bells and lowering the American Flag.
After there was a moment of silence for all the victims and families of 9/11, a speech was given from a member outside of the Southwick Fire Department.
Mark Little, a chaplain for the Nesconset Fire Deparmtent in Long Island, NY, talked about his own experience with the 9/11 attacks.
Fire Chaplain for Nesconset Fire Department in Long Island, Mark Little, addresses the crowd about 9/11. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
As Nesconset is a little over an hour away from the World Trade Center in New York City, Little’s department responded to the attacks the day it happened on Tuesday morning. They helped so many other members of different fire departments to help rescue people and try to reduce the flames coming from the towers.
Little remembers clearly just how important it was to be able to help fire departments in the New York City area.
“We’re very fortunate to be able to assist New York City,” said Little. “It’s so good to see departments working well together.”
Having Little come to Southwick and attend the ceremony was very powerful for the Southwick community.
“Unexpected, but very moving, it was real,” said Southwick Police Chief Dave Ricardi. “Here’s a guy who was there and lived it.”
After another ringing of the bells and a raising of the flag, the ceremony then proceeded inside the fire department building where there were snacks and light refreshments for anyone that attended.
Quite possibly the most powerful part of the event was the fact that so many people in the community were there to help honor everyone affected by September 11, 2001.
“It gets better and better every year,” said Chief Ricardi. “People are starting to really understand the total meaning of this thing.”
