Westfield Remembers Sept. 11, 2001

Beneath cloudless skies similar to the scene from nine years ago, a crowd gathered at the intersection of Broad Street and North Avenue to remember the dozenWestfielders who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

In a solemn ceremony marked by the tolling of the bells at the First Methodist Church and the receiting of a group prayer, residents remembered the attack, which claimed the lives of almost 3,000, and vowed to continue to remember the dozen neighbors who did not return home that day.

"Today, we stand together as a community to remember and pay tribute to our dearly departed neighbors and to offer our support and comfort to the families who so unjustly lost their loved ones," Mayor Andy Skibitsky said in his remarks.

Skibitsky presided over the mid-morning ceremony, attended by almost a 100 residents, at the town's memorial to the victims of the attack. Joined by Town Council members and Rev. Mark Boyea, the pastor of the First Congregational Church, Skibitsky remembered the victims and the urged those in attendance to remember the little things in life.

"We all have been deeply affected by the horrific events that took place nine years ago," he said. "The pain we felt then and the pain we feel today must now serve to bring a greater awareness and appreciation to our everyday blessings and activities. Today, let us not only remember and reflect, but let us also recommit ourselves to the fundamental values that built our great nation. Let us never falter in the defense of our American way of life."

Boyea led the group in a prayer and the singing of "Let There Be Peace on Earth," and talked about the sites and sounds of the day nine years ago. He led people in remembering the stories of the day, including those saved by being late for work and the commuters heading home on the train after escaping from the towers. He talked about the community wide feeling that swept Westfield and the country, with people flocking to blood banks to donate in an effort to help the victims of the attack.

Following the service, many quietly reflected at the memorial, while others talked in small clusters, discussing their memories of the day and helping support each other.

Westfielders Who Died on Sept. 11, 2001

Andrew Alameno

David Campbell

Michael Allen Davidson

Dean Eberling

Steven Mark Fogel

Thomas Glasser

Leo Russell Keene III

Richard B. Madden

John Salvatore Salerno Jr.

See-Wong Shum

Anthony M. Starita

Jim Walsh