Sep 8, 2005 By Christine Haines 2 min read

LUZERNE TWP. – The victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including the 343 firefighters who died during rescue attempts in New York, will be remembered Sunday at Flagstaff Hill in Patsy Hillman Park. This is the fourth year for the memorial service. South Brownsville Fire Capt. Ron Barry was ill last year and unable to participate, but said he will definitely be there to give the opening prayer this year.

“A lot of people have picked up and moved on. It’s been four years, but we can never forget,” Barry said. “We need to remember the sacrifices that were made, particularly the emergency workers.”

Barry said many of the New York firefighters who survived the collapse of the World Trade Center have since retired from the fire department, some with health problems caused by breathing the smoke and dust on Sept. 11.

Paul Pressy, who has organized the event since the first service in 2002, said the memorial was moved from 8:45 a.m., the time of the first plane crash into the World Trade Center, to 8 a.m. so the program doesn’t interfere with local church services. Pressy said it should be completed by 8:30 a.m.

Local veterans and veterans organizations are being asked to participate in the memorial, which will include a flag ceremony, prayers and a closing by Hiller Volunteer Fire Department Chaplain Jared Miller.

Pressy is encouraging all area residents to participate in the memorial prior to attending their regular Sunday church services. A special invitation is extended to all fire, police, ambulance and military personnel and veterans to attend in uniform.