Memorial Service to Pay Tribute to 9/11 Heroes, Victims

The Third District Fire Chiefs will host a Memorial Service to remember the heroes and victims of 9/11. This September marks the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.

“The memorial service gives us an opportunity to come together and remember what happened 10 years ago,” Rev. Paul Randolph, a chaplain and radio officer of Huntingdon Valley Fire Company, said. “We’ve set aside time to recognize those who gave their lives and pay tribute to and give thanks to the first responders and military.”

The event is open to the public and will take place on Sept. 11 from 3 to 4 p.m. at , located on 3000 Terwood Road in Willow Grove.

“I believe this event, and one's like it throughout the community are important and have different meaning for each individual,” Captain Renee Bates of Montgomery County , said in an e-mail interview. “For me, it's important to remember not only the tragic events of Sept. 11 but the feeling of unity we had in the days, weeks and months following the attacks. You couldn't drive down a street without seeing an American flag being flown, blood drives for victims, support groups, etc. and I had people stop to talk to me almost every day just to say ‘thank you’ for the job I do.”

In addition to Randolph, State Rep. Thomas Murt, Third District Fire Chiefs, Montgomery County Second Alarmers and area EMS departments will participate in the ceremonies. Randolph said Upper Moreland Police would supply the Honor Guard.

The service also will feature a bell-ringing ceremony, clergy various denominations including a rabbi and a priest, a display of firefighting apparatus, musical accompaniment and post-ceremony refreshments.

Montgomery County’s Third District includes Bryn Athyn Fire Co., Enterprise Fire Co. of Hatboro, Horsham Fire Co., Huntingdon Valley Fire Co., Rockledge Fire Co., Second Alarmers Rescue Squad and Willow Grove Fire Co.

“We must never forget the events of that day and First Responders who laid down their lives for others,” said. “But more than that we need to remember the victims in New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, we must never let them be forgotten or let their families feel that we do not appreciate their sacrifice and that we share their lose.”

Randolph said Huntingdon Valley Fire Co. has conducted smaller scale memorial services every year since 2001. However, to remember the 10-year anniversary, Randolph said that The Third District Fire Chiefs came together and thought it would be a good idea to have a larger service.

“Being in the emergency services we have all been invited to a large number of events Sept. 11,” Bates said. “Although we wish we could attend every one of these events, we simply can't be everywhere. We thought having one larger event would allow the community to remember with us as the police, fire and emergency medical services tend to be a very close knit group anyway.”

For more information, email Rev. Paul Randolph at hvfcrev@msn.com or Captain Renee Bates at Renee.Bates@main.sars.org.