Vernon Officials Post 9/11 Anniversary Statement

VERNON, CT — Vernon officials on Friday released the following message commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks:

On this sacred day, the Town of Vernon pauses to remember and honor the innocent lives lost and to recognize the courage of those who gave the last full measure in their service to others 19 years ago.

It began as a bright, beautiful morning. The sky was clear as millions of people headed to work on a seemingly normal day.

In an instant, the world changed.

As we remember the horror and pain of that day, we can take solace in the selfless acts of so many.

People went to the aid of their co-workers and helped colleagues escape the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

High in the sky over Pennsylvania, passengers on an airliner made the difficult decision to sacrifice themselves rather than allow the airplane they were aboard to be used as a weapon.

And even as the situation grew more tragic, brave firefighters, police officers, EMT’s and other first responders did what they always do. They ran into the mayhem to help the injured, to battle the fires and to guide people to safety.

They did not hesitate.

Nearly 3,000 people died on September 11, in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. More than 6,000 people were injured.

As a society, we must continue on…but we must also never forget.