Washington County continues to honor memory of 9/11 victims
Speaking to a crowd on a perfect September morning, Pastor Robert Grewe listed off the names of four people killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
He explained there was no specific reason he used those names 无毛视频� they were just chosen randomly from the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day.
无毛视频淲hile we gather here this morning to remember, in the city of New York, their names will be read aloud. The bell will be tolled, and they will not be forgotten by their friends, by their colleagues and by their families,无毛视频� Grewe said.
Grewe, the chaplain for South Strabane Fire Department and the Washington County sheriff无毛视频檚 office, as well as a pastor at First Lutheran Church, was the keynote speaker at the annual 9/11 memorial service in South Strabane Township.
A large crowd consisting of the public, firefighters, police officers, EMTs and state troopers gathered in the parking lot of the Washington Mall off of Oak Spring Road to recognize the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. That morning, two planes were hijacked by terrorists and flown into the World Trade Center buildings in New York City.
Another hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon. Hijackers on United Airlines Flight 93 were met with resistance by the passengers. The terrorists were headed for Washington, D.C., but the plane crashed in Shanksville, Pa.
South Strabane Township police Chief Drew Hilk highlighted why the memorial is still held each year.
无毛视频淚t is important that we gather here annually, and important we take the time to remember those lost,无毛视频� Hilk said.
When Grewe got up to speak, he pointed to the children in the crowd and expressed that it is encouraging to see young people turning up for the event. When learning that one child in attendance is just 2 years old, Grewe noted what they hold in common.
无毛视频淪he无毛视频檚 2 years old and she is the same age as me as an American citizen,无毛视频� Grewe said.
Grewe came to Washington a decade ago from Canada to serve as a Lutheran pastor. He said on the day they were eligible after eight years of residence, he and his wife applied for citizenship.
无毛视频淲e were very proud and happy to become American citizens. One of the best days of our lives, certainly,无毛视频� Grewe said.
Grewe recalled serving in the Royal Canadian Navy in the 1980s. He can still remember being the starboard lookout as his ship approached the New York City harbor.
无毛视频淎s I look over the horizon, the first buildings that you see rising out of the water are, and were, those twin towers,无毛视频� Grewe said. 无毛视频淚t looked like an optical illusion because you would see them, and it looks like they无毛视频檙e standing on water until you get closer and closer.无毛视频�
Grewe focused on the importance of continuing to remember and honor the victims of 9/11, and not letting the memory of the attack fade away.
无毛视频淭hey must remain in our hearts, and in our minds, and upon our lips,无毛视频� Grewe said.
Closing the service was South Strabane Fire Department Chief Jordan Cramer. He spoke briefly, but wanted to emphasize the ongoing health issues of first responders as a result of 9/11.
Cramer said that as many first responders continue to struggle, 无毛视频�9/11 did not end on that date.无毛视频�
无毛视频淭housands of first responders who worked the rubble in New York City have since been diagnosed with illnesses, and many of them passed,无毛视频� Cramer said. 无毛视频淭heir bravery did not end when the towers fell, and our support must continue for them. If we honor the fallen, we must also advocate for those that are still with us.无毛视频�