GREENCASTLE – “Let us not forget those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice on that September morning.”
Those were the words that Greencastle Mayor Ben Thomas said to a small crowd of citizens who participated in the walk of remembrance on Saturday morning, Sept. 6 – words that were felt by every man, woman and child in attendance who will never forget the terrorist attacks that happened to our great nation on Sept. 11, 2001.
A small crowd of about 25 individuals met outside the John L. Grove Medical Center on Eastern Avenue at around 8:15 a.m. They were joined by members of the local police, EMS and fire department as they shared stories about what they were doing on that fateful morning and the impact it has had on the lives of all Americans ever since.
At 8:25 a.m., Mayor Ben Thomas, wearing his old volunteer fire helmet, addressed the crowd and went over the details of the walk and the important significance of why we were there. This was the eighth year that the leaders and citizens of Greencastle had taken these 2,071 steps, ones that symbolize the 101 floors of the World Trade Center buildings.
The walk began at exactly at 8:30 a.m. on the corner of Eastern Avenue and Baltimore Street. As the procession made its way down East Baltimore Street, strollers passed houses and businesses that were proudly displaying their flags amid the sound of cars beeping their horns in respect for the walkers.
Joining the walk were members of the Greencastle VFW who have participated in every walk since the first one in 2017. One member of the club, retired Navy veteran Mike Blank said that being a part of the walk was very important to the VFW, especially under the leadership of Mayor Thomas.
“He has always been very supportive of our veterans and first responders,” Blank explained, “especially our local police, being a former law enforcement officer himself.”
The group stopped in front of the Chamber of Commerce at exactly 8:46 a.m. to offer a moment of silence. It was at that time in 2001 that the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, hit the North Tower starting one of the most heinous attacks in American history. It was a touching tribute to honor the lives of those lost on that flight and the hundreds more that would be lost in its wake.
From there the group walked about 15 minutes, passing by proud first responders, whose purpose that morning was to keep all the walkers safe on their journey. Once walkers arrived at the Veterans Memorial Monument, Thomas offered a few words of introduction before passing the microphone to Elder Robert Fugate, who is church administrator at Praying Time Ministries Church in Greencastle. Fugate opened the ceremony with an inspirational prayer and a rendition of the National Anthem.
Thomas then introduced state Rep. Chad G. Reichard (R-Franklin) who said a few words to the crowd. He shared the same sentiments as everyone in attendance when he revealed his story about the 9/11 attacks.
He shared that he was in elementary school when the attacks happened. His memories were of confusion as to why they couldn’t go out for recess and that some of the other kids were being taken out of school early by their parents. He was frightened and confused, which is the way nearly everyone felt on that fateful day.
Thomas then took center stage once again to share stories and to thank the veterans and first responders in attendance for all that they have done and will do in service to the people of Pennsylvania and the world alike. In a touching moment he then invited his grandchildren to join him and to share a story with the audience that they had shared with him.
It is a little-known fact that when the attacks on New York had occurred, the people of lower Manhattan needed to be evacuated. The Coast Guard knew that they did not have the boats or manpower to pull off such a feat alone. In an unprecedented moment, they reached out to the citizens who were boating in the harbor requesting assistance. In a show of unity, the call was answered, and over 100 boats arrived ready to do their part and help get over 550,000 Americans to safety.
Thomas made it a point to remind everyone that the remembrance walk is not just about honoring the veterans who have and do put their lives on the line every day, but it is also about unity, bringing a community together.
He added, “Greet the stranger to your left and right; make them your friend. That is part of our unity. Because community is strengthened not by the government, but by the people.”
The entire event with the walk and ceremony only took about an hour, but it no doubt touched the lives of everyone there for what will hopefully be a lifetime. The young people in attendance demonstrated that the events that happened on that September day 24 years ago are not a thing of the past. America still remembers – the fear, the pain, the loss, but also the camaradarie , the faith in our country and each other. The ceremony is a reminder that America will never forget those who lost their lives that day, nor the power of unity and the strength that comes from a community and nation that comes together.
