New Canaan Remembers 9/11 With Memorial Ceremony

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan held its annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday morning on the front steps of Town Hall, and below is the text of the remarks by First Selectman Kevin Moynihan honoring those we lost, their families and the nation:

I want to thank Chief Hennessey and the Fire Department for organizing our observance of this annual tradition – and thank everyone for coming.

I also want to thank Congressman Himes for joining us today. Today is a day for remembrance, reflection and rededication.

17 years ago today, three New Canaanites -- Joe Cappo, Brad Fetchet and Eamon McEneaney – died in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Each was a treasure to our town.

Joe Cappo, then 46, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald. A baseball enthusiast, Joe was beloved by his family, and by his ball players aspiring to be great in Coach Joe’s eyes.

Brad Fetchet, then 24, worked for Keefe, Bruyette and Woods. A star ice hockey and lacrosse player at New Canaan High School and Bucknell, for those who knew him Brad’s kind smile and gentle nature brightened our days and warmed our hearts.

Eamon McEneaney, then 46, also worked for Cantor Fitzgerald; family man, poet and former All-American lacrosse player for Cornell.

Joe, Brad and Eamon -- three shining souls among nearly 3000 innocent people whose lives were taken on September 11, 2001, just because they showed up for work -- all slain by extremists from a foreign land driven to kill and inflict as much mayhem on America as they could.

Thankfully, the story did not end there.

Blindsided and fearing the worst, America delivered its best.

Americans fought back – with faith, courage, sacrifice and love.

People didn’t run from danger, they rushed to it. Strangers helped strangers. First responders climbed stairways to heaven. Priests risked death to comfort and administer last rites.

In New Canaan, Eugenie Diserio recounted how every member of our ambulance corps came to headquarters, loaded up their rigs and volunteered to drive to Ground Zero. One crew was dispatched.

The first reactions were followed by enduring commitments and contributions.

Mary and Frank Fetchet founded Voices of September 11 th , and spearheaded a national effort to remember, recover and prepare for the future.

Eamon McEneaney’s soulmate, Bonnie, authored a book, Messages: Signs, Visits and Premonitions from Loved Ones Lost on 9/11 – documenting how bonds of love transcended death to console those left behind.

Today, Joe Coppo’s name is memorialized on our baseball field and scoreboard in Waveny Park.

This spirit that emboldens and unites us is part of our birthright, and deep in our DNA. It makes us proud to be Americans!

Recall that during the American Revolution a young patriot from Connecticut named Nathan Hale was on a spy mission for General George Washington and was captured by the British.

Sentenced to death, he was just 21 years old on the day he was hanged in New York City. There, a British officer noted his last words:

“I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Since 1985, Nathan Hale has been the state hero of Connecticut.

Today, we are not called to lay down our lives, but we can still do a lot.

Families of New Canaan can make sure their children learn the lessons of 9/11.

Citizens can honor the fallen by rededicating ourselves to their high purpose.

Each of us can serve and contribute as we can -- to help make our town, our community and our country stronger, safer and better.

As we do, we’ll hold our heroes in our hearts.

We’ll always remember…

God bless Joe, Brad, Eamon, and all the 9/11 victims and their families.

And God bless America.

Image via Shutterstock

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