WAYNESBORO – First responders, honored veterans, their families and citizens of Waynesboro gathered together at Red Run Park on Thursday, Sept. 11, to remember and pay respects to the lives lost in 2001 during our nation’s worst terrorist attack.
This was the 11th year that the Franklin County first responders have hosted the Remembrance and Wreath Laying Event at the park located at 12143 Buchanan Trail E. and was attended by members of the local police, fire departments and EMT’s.
The ceremony began with the posting of colors by the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, Pennsylvania Blue Jackets Division. The weather was pleasant and sunny on that early September evening as the colors that represents our nation hung at half-mast on the flag pole and a large flag hung overtop the ceremony from the extended ladder of Truck #2 of the Waynesboro Fire Department.
Pennsylvania House Rep. Chad Reichard (R-Franklin) opened the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance and followed that with some emotional opening remarks. He reminded us that with the dark events that have plagued our nation in the last few weeks, that it is more imperative than ever to come together as a united nation, as we did on the dark days following the 9/11 attacks. To stand as one in the face of tragedy and honor the legacy of perseverance that our country is noted for.
Reichard than introduced the ceremony’s guest speaker, veteran, John McRae. McRae shared the sentiments of all in attendance when he said the importance of honoring not only the lives that were sacrificed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania during the attacks, but for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our streets, towns, states and nation.
From there, members of the Blue Ridge Fire & Rescue Company #4, the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department Company #2 and the Raven Rock Emergency Service led the ceremony of setting the wreath in front of the 9/11 Memorial located under the pavilion at the entrance to the park. Then a prayer was led by Mike Bock, followed by a moment of silence.
The ceremony concluded with the retiring of colors, once again conducted by the young members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets. At the conclusion of the event all the first responders onsite gathered for a group photo and then mingled with the attendees. There was a good turnout for the event which reflected the unity of the people of Waynesboro and the respect they have for emergency personel. The Waynesboro 9/11 Ceremony was one of several that have occurred in the tri-state area in the last week, adding to a beacon of light and unity that comes from one of the darkest moments in American history.
