Oxford Remembers the Victims of the 9-11 Terrorist Attacks

State Rep. David Labriola left and Oxford First Selectman George R. Temple lead 911 service at Oxford Town Hall Thursday. contributed photo

OXFORD – First Selectman George R. Temple led a 9-11 service Thursday to remember the victims of that horrible day.

Temple held the service outside the front of Oxford Town Hall with State Rep. David Labriola. Temple thanked the dozen or so in attendance for attending this important event and said Americans should never forget what happened and the people who lost their lives.

He said every year he has attended the 9-11 ceremony on Sherwood Island in Westport.

“I go out of respect for the families of the innocent victims and the brave first responders who gave everything they had to try to save these victims.”

He said the ceremony is usually well attended by the families of these people. There is a reception line where community leaders express condolences for the victims and their loved ones.

“The very first person I shook hands with was an eleven year old boy. His eyes were red, tears welled up and his entire body shook. He never met his father. All he had was pictures of the man who went to work on that beautiful sunny day and never returned. His father never saw his first t-ball game, He never got to read his son a good night story, he never got to see him off to kindergarten, He never got to watch a football game with him, he never saw him in a school play, he never went to his first communion, and he will never get to see his son off to college or attend his wedding or the countless joys that we parents receive over the course of our children’s lives.,’’ remembered Temple.

He said there were thousands of Americans who were similarly affected that day on 911. The criminals and their followers who thought that murder was a good way to express their point under estimated the American spirit.

“They mistake tolerance for cowardice and love of freedom as a weakness. They think we cry because we are afraid and we grieve because we are timid. Some of us have the capacity to forgive but none of us should ever forget. To do so would diminish the hurt of that young boy and the countless others who feel the pain of that senseless loss that is known as 9-11.”

Following a moment of silence, local residents Art Hlywa and John Uhelsky performed Taps.