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Prairie Twp. remembers those lost on Sept. 11
(by Brittany L. Browne, staff writer - September 13, 2011)
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| Photo couresty Prairie Township |
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Firefighter Jack Ellis and Captain Rob Cloud stand near a veiled memorial for the people who died and suffered from the Sept. 11 attack. The memorial is the shape of the Pentagon, has two small monuments in the shape of the Twin Towers and a brick with inscription of Flight 93.
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More than 100 people gathered at the Prairie Township firehouse on Inah Avenue to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
“It is important to us as a nation to never forget the horrific acts of terrorism that threatened our freedom 10 years ago and all of the innocent lives lost that day as well as all who continually serve to protect our safety,” Asstistant Fire Chief Chris Snyder said.
The memorial service included guest speaker Matt Finkes, co-chair of “Friends of Firefighters” and former Ohio State University football player.
The opening introduction was led by Firefighter Tom Collins, followed by the reading of the Sept. 11 timeline by Firefighter Jake Stratton.
Three shots fired after the complete reading.
The memorial is the shape of the Pentagon symbolizing the attack on Washington, D.C. In the center are two small monuments in the shape of the Twin Towers symbolizing the attack on New York City. A brick with the inscription of Flight 93 symbolizes the plane that went down in Pennsylvania.
Snyder said, seeing what the firefighters planned and achieved in three short weeks, has never made him more proud of the department and Prairie Township community in which they serve.
Westland High School Marching Band performed the “National Anthem” and “America the Beautiful.”
The service also included dedication of the new fire engine to the department led by Chaplin Larry Baker and the ringing of the brand new brass bell donated by trustees at the Aug. 24 Prairie Township Board of Trustees meeting.
Finkes addressed the audience with a message about his personal experience with Sept. 11 and spoke about stories that impacted others through “Friends of Firefighters.”
Finkes said, “Memorials such as this one are fantastic but we need to realize that people are still hurting. I waited eight years to ask how can I help, please don’t wait that long, ask how you can help today.”
Closing Remarks from Captain Rob Cloud and Firefighter Jack Ellis read the total fatality statistics of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Chaplin Larry Baker said, “It’s not about the Twin Towers, it’s about the people who were in those towers. It’s what this memorial represents and that is why we are here.”
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