State and county officials, firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, veterans, and Delaware County residents gathered Friday (Sept. 11) at Rose Tree Park to honor and commemorate the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 – 25 years ago – and the first responders working every day to keep Americans safe. The annual September 11 Day of Remembrance held special significance this year as the nation marked a quarter century since terrorists flew two planes into the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center, another into the Pentagon, and a fourth that passengers overtook and forced a crash landing in a rural Pennsylvania field. It was the worst terrorist attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor.
The hour-long ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by the county Sheriff’s Office, followed by a prayer offered by Rev. Chaplain Geraldine Caldwell.
District Attorney Tanner Rouse served as emcee and introduced guest speakers that included County Council Chairman Richard Womack, state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-165), state Sens. Anthony Hardy Williams (D-8) and Tim Kearney (D-26), and the county Director of Military and Veterans Affairs Col. Arthur Jenkins (ret.).
“The grief and shock of that day was overwhelming,” Womack recalled. “The American people became a symbol of unity. In the face of division, strength in the face of weakness, and bravery in the face of cowardice. I recall seeing the outpouring of patriotism across (this) county and across our nation.”…