A Different Darien, A Universal Tragedy: Darien, CT, Remembers Sept. 11

Editor's note: As Darien VFW Post 2838 Commander Ed Oldis pointed out at the on Sunday, Darien, IL, was named after Darien, CT.

Our namesake city suffered losses on Sept. 11, 2001, on a very personal level. Six residents were killed during the terrorist attacks.

In tribute to these victims, Darien, IL, Patch is running coverage of Darien, CT's Sept. 11 anniversary events.

Darien, CT - Dozens of Darien's first responders, elected officials, and residents gathered Sunday for two ceremonies marking the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The first, held at Darien's 9/11 Memorial behind , echoed observances held in years past. Participants banded around the monument — a large stone inscribed with the maxim "MAY WE NEVER FORGET" — to share in prayer, the pledge of allegiance, and a moment of silence.

Phil Kraft, chairman of the Monuments & Ceremonies Commission and commander of VFW Post 6933, read a message from Ed Oldis, commander of VFW Post 2838 in Darien, Ill.

Oldis said that the victims and their families from Darien and area towns "will be in our thoughts in prayers as we participate in 10th anniversary ceremonies this weekend."

Selectman Jayme Stevenson and former First Selectman Bob Harrel, who held the town's top office at the time of the attacks, placed a wreath behind the monument before others followed with red roses.

Soon after, dozens of firefighters, police officers, and medical responders congregated at the firefighters' memorial next to Spring Grove Cemetery for a second observance.

Chiefs from each of the town's three fire departments positioned wreaths in front of the memorial before a second moment of silence. Around them, 343 American flags stood planted in the grass, signifying the number of firefighters who died that day.

As bagpiper Robert O'Connor played two verses of "Amazing Grace," softball players on a neighboring field paused and joined briefly in the solemn observance.

Darien residents Christopher Gardner, Stephen LaMantia, Garry Lozier, William Meehan, Edward Maloney, and John Works died in the attacks, as did Stacey Sanders, formerly of Darien.