CLEARFIELD – A memorial ceremony honored service men and women and remembered the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America 19 years ago today.
It was attended by local police officers, firefighters, first responders, local officials and a handful of community members at the Clearfield County Courthouse plaza.
As part of the “brief, yet respectful” ceremony, a bell was rung and a memorial wreath of red, white and blue carnations was presented before the Sept. 11 memorial stone.
Nineteen years ago, at 8:46 a.m., hijackers aboard American Airlines Flight 11 crashed the plane into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
At 9:03 a.m., hijackers aboard United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. At 9:37 a.m., hijackers crashed Flight 77 into the western side of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
At 9:59 a.m., the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed, and at 10:03 a.m., passengers and crew rebelled against hijackers in an effort to take back Flight 93.
That plane was crashed into a field in Shanksville, a town most had never heard of outside of Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.
After leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers gave a few remarks. “The men and women you see here today put their lives on the line every day, not knowing like those in New York City on 9/11 that it was their last day.
“They were rushing in to help others and giving the ultimate sacrifice – their lives for one another. I ask you to thank them on a daily basis. We might not have a terroristic attack here, but we do have fires, domestic disturbances.
“We do have incidents where these men and women are putting themselves in harm’s way for the people of this community. So, on this day and every day, we remember our first responders and all they do for us and for our community.
“Take a moment of silence and pray for these individuals and ask God for their protection.”