Sep 12, 2002 By Patty Shultz 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Their names were not read, but the 3,028 victims of the terrorist attacks of a year ago were remembered by those who gathered Wednesday at city hall to mark the anniversary. With American and armed services flags flying in the early morning skies, state, county and local officials, members of the city police department, firefighters and emergency services personnel joined with veterans and residents to pay tribute to the lives lost Sept. 11, 2001.

“It is difficult to believe one year has passed since the terrorist attacks on our homeland,” said state Rep. James Shaner (D-Dunbar), during the city’s observance of Patriot Day. “Our wounds are still so fresh; our grief is still so strong; our shock is still so real.”

Shaner, along with Fayette County Judge John Wagner, Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites, city Mayor Judy Reed, past state VFW Commander Allen Q. Jones, American Legion 24th District Commander George Piovesan, American Legion Post 301 Commander James Dunn, and Tony Perno, who attended on behalf of state Rep Larry Roberts (D-South Union), served as keynote speakers for the commemorative service organized by the local veterans’ organizations.

“It seems that in each generation, there has been one of those defining moments,” said Wagner, “a moment in time which stands out above all others, one that you can remember exactly where you were when that event occurred.”

Adding his recollections of being told by a high school swimming teacher of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to those of an older generation that remember the attack on Pearl Harbor, Wagner said now the date of

Sept. 11, 2001, has left an indelible mark on Americans’ hearts and minds.

“If there is one common thread in all of these events, it is that they have each in their own way brought us together as a nation, unified our purpose and steeled our resolve,” he said.

Vicites said he was inspired as he watched veterans unfurl the American flags and place them along the streets of Uniontown just minutes after watching televised accounts of flights 11 and 175 ripping through the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

“As I walked up the street from the 911 building to evacuate the personnel in the courthouse, I began to see American flags lining the streets,” he said. “It made me feel proud to be an American.”

Vicites added that those in the armed forces who are stationed both at home and overseas have served as an example for all to follow.

“I truly believe it is our veterans, past and present, (who) have been the glue that has held our country together during this very difficult time,” he said. “Our veterans have stood steadfast behind our commander in chief and our military.”

Jones said the nation today, as in its early beginnings, will find the strength to move forward.

“We are a people of infinite spirit,” he said. “When America suffered a staggering blow one year ago, we reached into our great reservoir of nation souls to gather strength and resolve to move forward, in spite of our fears.

“Today, we gather to remember the victims, to honor those who have exhibited great courage, and renew our determination. We stand with courage, united in our resolve to overcome the threat against our nation.”

Reed was presented with a commemorative flag that included the New York skyline with the twin towers etched in the field of white stars from the Connellsville Veterans Commission and VFW Post 21, as well as a Blue Star Banner, a symbol of service, from American Legion Post 301.

Reed proclaimed the Sept. 11 anniversary date as “A Day to Remember.”

Throughout the service, area churches participated by ringing bells to mark the times of the four airplane crashes and in memory of those who died.

The Connellsville Area High School band and the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. bagpipers provided several musical selections, with band members Betty Layman and Randy Richter playing “Taps.”

Pennsylvania State VFW Ladies Auxiliary chaplain and VFW Post 21 President Nancy Jones gave the invocation, with the Rev. Marvin Watson providing the benediction for the service.