Sep 12, 2002 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

Capt. John Riley of the Salvation Army said it best Wednesday night at the State Theatre Center for the Arts when he said the terrorist attacks of a year ago “reunited us Americans” and urged the hundreds in attendance not to wait for another national tragedy to love each other. The Main Street theater in Uniontown was filled nearly to capacity with hundreds of Fayette County residents praying for the thousands who died last Sept. 11 as well as their families, firefighters, police, emergency medical personnel, military and the nation’s leaders.

Organized by the Uniontown Area Clergy Association, the two-hour service included scripture, prayers, comments from Fayette County commissioners, remembrance videos and religious and patriotic hymns.

“Over 3,000 lives were suddenly ended by a despicable act of terrorism,” Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites said.

However, the terrorists failed and “our country is stronger that it has ever been. They can not dent the foundation of America.”

Two local military veterans, Leo Rode and Allan Bryan, and a reservist, Tim Rodeheaver, who are members of the Faith Assembly of God Church in Uniontown, performed a human video to the Lee Greenwood song “God Bless the USA” in front a video montage from 9/11.

Dressed in military fatigues, they used body movements and some sign language to bring life to the lyrics. They received the first of many standing ovations during the service.

“The very first battle of this new war called terrorism was fought over the skies of Fayette and Somerset counties,” County Commissioner Ron Nehls said.

He quoted United Airlines Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer saying “Let’s Roll” before he and other passengers rushed the cockpit and forced the plane into a field in Shanksville, Somerset County.

Nehls’ son David lives across the street from a Manhattan, N.Y., fire station that lost 15 men in the attacks on the World Trade Center towers. A music video David Nehls made about the firefighters played for the audience.

“Wasn’t superman there? I saw superman there. He’s more than just one, he’s our fathers and sons,” the song goes.

“There’s one thing you can be certain of in America and Fayette County,” Ron Nehls said. “When the fire alarm sounds, firemen will respond.”

Riley asked everybody in the audience to hold hands and pray that the country remains united and that they share each other’s love.

“I’ve seen walls fall. Walls of division,” Riley said.

The Rev. Don Immel, of the Faith Assembly of God Church, spoke about the need for faith in God. He drew similarities between faith and credit.

He said it is easy to make purchases with the “swipe” of a credit card, but there had better be enough money in the bank to cover the buy.

“We will one day need to make a withdrawal of what we put into our lives,” Immel said. “Todd Beamer deposited into his account of faith and one Sept. 11th his family had to make a withdrawal. How’s your relationship with God?”

During the Rev. Jim Jobes Benediction, five Uniontown firemen held flags and ceremonial axes.

After the service, residents said they attended to pray with others for those who died and suffered as a result of the attacks.

“I wanted to show support and be with a family of believers,” Lora Cornell of Hopwood said.

“It’s good to be with other Christians when remembering those who lost their lives,” said Jamie Outrich of Masontown.