Ceremony at Sylvan Heights Cemetery honors Sept. 11 victims
Those attending services Wednesday at Sylvan Heights Cemetery were encouraged to reflect on the mourning and painful pride of Sept. 11, 2001, and remember the ensuing months that forged a unity in America. Beginning in the crisp early morning hours with an opening prayer service, the ceremonies held throughout the day in the cemetery’s Garden of Freedom were dedicated to those who were affected by the tragic events of a year ago.
The words of Uniontown Mayor James Sileo later in the evening reminded the audience that the events touched lives around the world, and as the World Trade Center fell, it took with it not only American lives but the lives of those from a dozen other nations.
“Let’s face it, when those planes pierced those towers, they pierced the hearts of us all, regardless of political parties, regardless of religious denominations,” he said. “We must never forget what has been done to all of us. …We are united. We will prevail out of the darkness.”
Echoing Sileo’s words that all people must stand united for a safe future, Laurel Highlands High School teacher Terry Ainsley reminded those present that the youth needs to hear of past hurdles surmounted, in order to better embrace the certainty of America’s future.
As a social studies teacher, Ainsley said she has watched today’s students experience a new chapter in history, live through uncertainty and go forward in surety to become volunteers, register to vote, take an interest in the world and even join the military.
Pointing to Lael Vojacek, the young woman who shared her dream of giving the community closure after Sept. 11, Ainsley maintained that the youth of today do care and do realize that, “if we don’t protect (freedom), we might lose it.”
Vojacek was instrumental in raising funds for the Sept. 11 memorial that was the centerpiece of Wednesday’s activities at Sylvan Heights.
Trying to sum up her feelings from last year to last night, Vojacek said she experienced sadness, hurt, pride and anger. However, she said she refused to give in to her anger and chose to “stand tall” and work to give back to the community a sense of closure and a place to reflect on their own feelings from that day of “hope, courage and chaos.”
Looking back to Sept. 11, Sylvan Heights supervisor William Bautz said that morning was unusually quiet.
“I didn’t know how to react,” he said after hearing about the initial attacks in New York or even later as the rest of the day unfolded.
One thing he did come away with, however, was a new understanding.
“It has given me a greater appreciation of what an unseen hero is,” Bautz said, referring to things that other men and women do every day that are taken for granted.
Local heroes, men and women with police, fire and ambulance services alternated standing watch before the newly placed memorial markers, as the speakers talked about the events leading up to the candlelight prayer services Wednesday night.
Jim Bitner of Fayette County Emergency Management Agency told those gathered about the important role volunteers from Fayette County played at the Somerset crash site. He explained that the county’s HAZMAT team and remote operations workers worked for two weeks at the site to keep the communications network open for recovery services.
“That day will be forever etched into my mind from first-hand experience,” he said.
Uniontown Police Chief Kyle Sneddon solemnly remarked that the military, along with America’s police and firefighters, “stand ready to respond as the nation’s first line of defense. Whether it be a metropolitan or rural area, paid or volunteer, we can do and will rise to the occasion where called.”
Ruminating over the loss of lives from the terrorist attacks, Uniontown Fire Chief Howard Bell said that even if there had been foreknowledge, the men and women working to preserve life and safety in New York would have responded no differently.
“Would I? A definite yes. I’ll go in and I’ll rescue lives. That is my job. I am on duty to serve the public,” Bell said.
Out of thanks to police and firefighters for their service to the community, Pat Farrell, Uniontown postmaster, presented Bell and Sneddon with framed copies of the famous stamp showcasing the firemen saluting the flag at ground zero.
As the crowds blew out candles in tribute to the fallen, the Rev. Dan Aber reminded them that in unity, people are stronger than when they stand alone.
“United we can do much more,” he said.
Unexpected crowds visited the Garden of Freedom, said Sylvan Heights representative Charlie Moscalink. Nearly 700 people attended the evening service, and he estimated that another 300 attended the morning and afternoon services.
“(It was) much more than what we expected, but that is a good thing,” he said.