At precisely 8:46 a.m. Branford firefighters, police officers and town officials bowed their heads in prayer as they remembered the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack on the World Trade Center. On this day 3,356 people in the Towers, including 343 firefighters and 60 police and port authority officers perished.
The Rev. Sharon Gracen, the Branford Fire Department chaplain, called this the “13th day of remembrance” as she reflected on the nation then and now.
“We carry indelible images. In the violence of that day, we encountered an unaccustomed vulnerability and the events set in motion in 2001 have challenged our self-image and capabilities. We have been torn between security and freedom, retribution and reconciliation. Many more have died as the end to conflict continues to elude us,” Gracen (pictured) noted.
The 15-minute ceremony outside the town’s main firehouse brought back memories of that day. At one point the Branford Fire Department Color Guard raised and lowered the American Flag to fly at half-staff, signifying a nation in mourning.
First Selectman James B. Cosgrove welcomed town and fire and police officials, including Police Chief Kevin Halloran and Capt. Geoffrey Morgan who attended the “We Remember” service. Cosgrove began by quoting former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. “The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom.”
Selectman Joseph E. Higgins, now retired from the New York City Fire Department, where he served as a special communications official, speaks often of that day. It was Higgins, now a member of the board of selectmen, who asked Fire Chief Jack Ahern a few weeks ago about his plans for 9/11. Cosgrove also thanked Higgins and his executive assistant, Trista Milici, for helping to put the event together.
Ahern said he explained to Higgins that “we do a small ceremony every year and every five years we enhance the ceremony. Higgins asked if we could invite key people throughout the town to become part of the fire department family for the day,” the chief said recalling their conversation. “I thought that was an excellent idea,” he said. That is how this year’s expanded 2014 remembrance took hold.
Ahern (pictured) told those gathered at the firehouse of his recent trip to the former site of the World Trade Center, a site now transformed into the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
“It was truly an awe-inspiring place and it is difficult to describe,” he said. He visited with chiefs from the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association.
“As we walked up the site with our uniforms on we were immediately treated as if we were some type of royalty. It was a humbling experience for all of us. There were hundreds of people from all walks of life, from every state and every country imaginable. And we were quickly overwhelmed with questions, hugs, cheers and admiration.
“That place is like no other. You find yourself not knowing how to act, whether to be sad, nervous, excited or happy. It is difficult to imagine that two of the largest towers in the world stood on the ground we were just walking on just over 13 years ago. And even more difficult to fathom that 343 firefighters, 60 police port authority officers and a total of 2,753 people died on the very ground I was now walking on.
“Our job today is to insure that these small reminders continue and will continue long into the future. I would urge each one of you to visit the memorial and take back with you your own personal experiences,” he said.
Branford and East Haven Remember
Many towns across the state held their own ceremonies.
On the East Haven Green, the Fire Department gathered to stand as one behind a small piece of steel from the Twin Towers. It was recently mounted on the Town Green.
Here is Firefighter Joseph Ciscone getting ready to ring the bell in remembrance in East Haven.
After the speakers spoke in Branford and the flag was lowered, Branford Firefighter/Paramedic John Cudgma took his place, preparing to toll the bells.
East Haven Fire Chief Doug Jackson and Assistant Chief Chuck Licata stood proud.
So did the men and women in Branford as they paid homage to their fallen brothers..
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