Anniversary of 9-11 marked in Toronto
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TORONTO -- As guest speaker at one of many services marking the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. told the many gathered at Toronto's Gazebo Commons that everyone can honor the many who died on that tragic day by reaching out to help others.
Abdalla noted many of the thousands who perished were attempting to help others and suggested each of us ask ourselves, "Are we doing enough?"
He noted a passenger aboard Flight 93 is said to have uttered, "Let's roll" as he and others prepared to storm the cockpit overtaken by terrorists, thus causing the plane to crash in Shanksville, Pa., instead of its intended target.
"Let's roll to help our neighbors. Let's roll to raise our children to be strong boys and girls. Let's roll to serve our community," said Abdalla.
"If we take care of our neighbors, it will be a ripple effect that will create a tidal wave in our county."
Abdalla said everyone can help in large or small ways, from serving in the military or local volunteer fire department to bringing food to a resident in need.
Former Jefferson County commissioner Tom Graham said the plane crash and the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. resulted in 2,996 deaths and 6,000 injured that day, with about 18,000 others succumbing to toxic dust spurred by the fallen buildings.
He said the many dead included 343 firefighters, 72 police officers, 55 members of the military and 411 other emergency workers.
Graham said while many can't imagine what it's like to be in the shoes of an emergency first responder, "We can thank them from the bottom of our hearts."
Applause was offered to the many police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel in attendance.
City Fire Chief Bill Scheel said he can imagine the fear, confusion and uncertainty emergency responders at the World Trade Center and Pentagon must have felt but he also understands the determination that led them to rush into danger to help others.
Scheel said each was likely sure he or she could evacuate everyone, treat all those who were harmed and contain the blaze inside "but that's not the way it happened."
He said he was pondering what to speak about while attending a church service Sunday when the clergy recited the words of Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-conrol; against such things there is no law."
"Nine words that would make this world so much better a place," said Scheel.
He reflected on the unity shown by Americans following the terrorist attacks, when differences in race, religion and politics bore little significance.
"It was all put aside and we were all Americans," said Scheel.
City Police Chief Charley Daniels shared the story of Rich Guadagno, an officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who was aboard Flight 93.
Daniels said an FBI officer at the crash site found Guadagno's badge in a wooded area where the plane's cockpit had been propelled and reasoned that he must have been among the passengers who charged the terrorists.
Guadagno's sister had no doubt her brother would be among the heroes on the plane, he noted.
Of all such heroes, Daniels said, "We will always be grateful and we will never forget."
Clark Crago, director of the TEMS Joint Ambulance District, noted the city's first remembrance of 9-11 occurred on the first Saturday evening following the attacks.
He said the heroism of that day doesn't surprise him because he knows local first responders who would do the same.
Crago read a list of many area first responders who were killed in the line of duty while Scheel rung a bell for each, and Abdalla and Daniels delivered salutes.
A military rifle salute also was offered by members of Toronto American Legion Post 86 led by Commander Kent Leasure.
Also participating in the candlelight service were Mark Prichard, pastor of Crossroads North River Church; and Mayor John Parker.