By Matt Youngfrau
MONTICELLO — March 12, 2002 – Six months after one of the most horrific events in American history, on Monday, March 11, several memorial services were held throughout the country to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Locally, the Village of Monticello Board scheduled a moment of silence at the firehouse at the exact time the first plane hit the World Trade Center: 8:48 a.m.
The service was set up at the village’s board meeting on Tuesday, February 19. Using ideas from comedian George Carlin (in one of his more serious moments), Trustee Jim Barnicle read a poignant statement about the situation to get ideas on how to commemorate the six-month anniversary. The board decided to have the ceremony at the firehouse and have the bell in front rung at the time of the first attack.
Well over 70 people braved frigid conditions yesterday morning for the ceremony, including local police, fire personnel, government officials, and community members. Remarks were made by Mayor Gary Sommers, Barnicle, and Village Justice Phil Conaty.
“I would like to ask that we take a moment to pray, not only for those who lost their lives on September 11, but also for those who are now so far from home, defending our way of life, and for those who have lost their lives in this defense,” Sommers commented. “It is said that when you are in a firefight, the moral issues of the war are not on your mind. You think only of your comrades that are near you. We must make sure our troops know we think not only of their cause, but also of them as individuals, and that we believe that freedom, not fear, will again ring.”
“September 11 touched the world,” remarked Barnicle. “We will never forget the impact. God bless the men and women who lost their lives in the tragedy.”
“There is a wide range of emotions,” Conaty stated. “That day changed our lives forever. Some people’s lives have changed in a way that they will never return to normal. You should pledge your support to the police, the fire, and EMS personnel. They deserve and earned our respect.”
After Conaty spoke, Village Manager Richard Sush rang the bell as the crowd observed a moment of silence.