By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-985705.mp3
Springfield, MA – In Springfield Massachusetts, Sunday, the city's fire and police departments held a ceremony to honor their fallen comrades from September 11th, 2001. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports..
With the tolling of bells and the playing of taps, the Springfield Fire Department paid a solemn tribute to the 343 New York City firefighters who died on that fateful day a decade ago. The focal point of this year's annual remembrance was a 12 foot long, 3 thousand pound rusted steel girder that was once part of the fallen World Trade Center. It was given to Springfield just last week, and will eventually be the center piece of a permanent memorial.
Springfield Fire Commissioner Gary Cassenelli said the steel is a fitting symbol of the strength and resolve of firemen.
The fire commissioner issued a challenge to people to honor the victims of 9-11.
Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet pledged to never forget the ultimate sacrifices of the firemen, police officers and emergency medical personnel who died on September 11th or the loss suffered by their families.
Congressman Richard Neal of Massachusetts said the terror threat the United States still faces a decade after the attacks on New York and Washington comes from no single global address. He warned that terrorists are operating even within democratic countries in Europe and Asia.
The Massachusetts Air National Guard, descendants of the Minute Men, were the first responders to the war on terror when two fighter jets were scrambled from the Otis Air Base and flew at supersonic speed to Manhattan on the morning of September 11th. The Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Major General L. Scott Rice praised the people he said found a duty to serve an entity greater than themselves
Sunday's ceremony was attended by hundreds of people, many eager to see the September 11th artifact from the World Trade Center and take pictures of it. The beam remained partially covered by an American Flag until it was blessed by Springfield Roman Catholic Bishop Timothy McDonnell , who paraphrased Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, saying it was a poignant reminder of the the lives lost and the courage shown.
Springfield's Mayor, Domenic Sarno, pledged to give the artifact a respectful, permanent home.