Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson speaks during the town’s 9/11 program. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – A remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001 was held at the Southwick Fire station, with police and fire personnel, town and state officials and dozens of residents in attendance.
Police Chief Kevin A. Bishop said he was preparing a speech when he started reading posts on social media about the events of that tragic day in history and instead of his speech, he read several posts during the ceremony.
He then encouraged the crowd to take those words and use them as inspiration to “make a difference.”
Bishop said those words were really a challenge.
“You have been challenged to do good deeds, share a smile, help a
Southwick Fire Lt. Paul Johnson tolls the bell in honor of those firefighters who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
friend,” he said. “When you do these things, you are paying the utmost respect to those who passed before us.”
Pastor Dan Valeri of Living Hope Church offered prayers during the ceremony.
‘Keep first responders safe in every situation,” he prayed. “Strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble.
Firefighter Dennis Day read The Firefighters prayer and a bell was rung five times, signaling the end of a firefighter’s shift, by Lt. Paul Johnson.
