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'May we always remember'
tkinsell@observer-reporter.com
CARMICHAELS - It has been nearly a decade since terrorists attacked this country and since then, the community of Carmichaels has come together with their neighbors to commemorate the tragic loss of life that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.
Friday morning, a crowd of nearly 200 gathered on Market Street at the town circle to remember and reflect.
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"I can remember what I had on that day," came a response from another.
They might not remember what they had for breakfast yesterday, but like the Jefferson woman who said she remembers like it was yesterday hearing the announcement in high school of President John F. Kennedy being shot, they can't forget where they were or how they felt on Sept. 11, 2001.
Carmichaels American Legion Commander Frank Kirk charged those in attendance with always remembering.
"We are here again to remember September 11. It was a day that all people should remember. It was a wake-up call to our nation that we are all vulnerable to terrorists," he said. "We need to always be prepared. We must continue to teach our young generation to remember Sept. 11.
"History has shown that a nation is as strong as its people. We must continue to teach what our forefathers fought for. If we fail to do so, we as a democracy fail."
Sirens began to reverberate around the crowd marking 8:46 a.m, the precise time that American Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
"Lord, I will never forget the horror and the heroics of that day," prayed Rev. Bruce Judy. "May we always remember. Relieve the suffering and grant us peace of mind. Protect us from the violence of this world and restore us to tranquility and peace."
As in years past, Fireman Craig Baily read from the "Fireman's Prayer - "And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life, please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife."
"On September 11, 2001, 2,973 people lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks. There were 429 rescue workers, firemen, police officers and EMS among them," Baily said. "Most of these people were not scheduled to work that day. They were 'called' to duty."
Baily asked that the crowd in attendance remember three things - where we came from, where we are today and where we are to be in the future.
Carmichaels police Officer Mike Gyuerke followed Baily by reading "The Police Officer's Life," by an unknown author.
"I have been where you fear to be. I have seen what you fear to see. I have done what you fear to do. All these things I've done for you," Gyuerke read.
Nemacolin firefighter Max Brozik Sr. was among the emergency services personnel at the ceremony.
Brozik drove one of the ambulances that sounded, signaling the terrorist strikes.
Seated next to him was his daughter, Jodi Brozik, who is also a firefighter.
"I have been doing this for 30 years. Just about everyone in my family is in the fire department. My son (Max Brozik Jr.) is the fire chief. It is something you never forget (September 11)," Brozik said with watery eyes. "You still think about it."
