Hundreds gather for Sept. 11 anniversary service

BY STACI WILSON

Ten years afterAmericawatched in horror as terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on this country, hundreds gathered in South Montrose on Sunday, Sept. 11, to honor the lives of those lost that day and in the Global War on Terror.

About 300 people attended the annual Sept. 11 ceremony at the Spirit of 9-11,DannyCrismanMemorial Park.

The park was created by Debbie Crisman in honor of her son who was killed in attack on theWorldTradeCenter.

State Rep. Sandra Major said, “One mother’s mission has grown to be a community tradition.”

“Daniel Crisman lost his life fighting a war he did not know had begun,” Major said.

In past years, monuments in the park have been dedicated to the people killed on Sept. 11 and to the Soldiers who have been killed fighting in the Global War on Terror.

This year, a steel cross memorial was dedicated in honor of the 343 firefighters who died in Sept. 11 rescue efforts.

Susquehanna County District Attorney Jason Legg said the firefighters did not hesitate to serve and save their fellow citizens.

In a sharp contrast of goodness to the evil of the attack, Legg said, “They appeared like angels at the Gates of Hell. They sacrificed themselves for others.”

Legg said, “We are blessed in this small community to have this sacred place, we mourn those we lost but our love makes us stronger and better.”

Major said, “These monuments serve as fitting memorials. We have learned we can never take life for granted.”

Guest speaker Jeffrey Reimel said, “This park is a special place for me.”

The Montrose native and Federal Aviation Administration employee told the crowd that Daniel Crisman was his second cousin and Staff Sgt. Daniel Arnold, a member of the Army National Guard, 109th Infantry who was killed in action inIraqin Sept. 2005, was a classmate of his at Montrose.

Reimel related the Sept. 11, 2001 timeline from the FAA perspective.

“By8 a.m.there were already 4000 flights in the air,” Reimel said. The first indication that something was wrong came at8:14 a.m.when air traffic controllers lost radio contact with American Airlines Flight 11 and the flight transponder was turned off.

But at that point, Reimel said, the idea of a hijacking was unfathomable.

As the morning’s events began to unfold, it became clear to FAA officials that “this was not to be any ordinary hijacking” and there was no doubt it was a coordinated effort.

All flights in theUnited Stateswere grounded; and planes already in the air were made to land.

Reimel said, “The military was in control of the skies for the first time in history.”

He said that the FAA successfully grounded over 4000 flights without further incident was a “testament to their professionalism.”

In addition to honoring those killed on Sept. 11 and Soldiers who have died, CSM Don Robinson also recognized local emergency responders.

“Thank you for what you do for the community,” he said.

Robinson also recognized the “Friends of the Forgotten” and “Soldiers Angels” who attend the event each year.

Robinson also pointed out the flag flying behind the memorial came from the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville.

Those who attended the ceremony were given a print of a painting by local artist Carol Brown of the Spirit of 9-11,DannyCrismanMemorial Park.

Also participating in the ceremony was Rev. Bob Kadlecik; singer Rachel Zaleski; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 92; the 109th Pennsylvania Veterans Support Group; Bud Wilcox; and Marsha and Debbie Crisman.