Sep 12, 2025 By Garrett Neese 2 min read

Dozens of community members joined local first responders in Carmichaels’ town square Thursday morning for a ceremony reflecting on those who gave their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Thursday’s ceremony began at 8:46 a.m., the time 24 years ago when a plane hijacked by terrorists crashed into the first World Trade Center tower.

Guest speaker Frank Ricco recalled the unity and patriotism Americans displayed after 9/11, contrasting it with the vitriolic discourse of today. He also remembered the selflessness of the 429 first responders who were killed while trying to save people that day, and the sacrifice of the passengers who retook Flight 93, which crashed into the ground in Shanksville, just 90 miles away in Somerset County.

“On this solemn anniversary, let us reaffirm the fundamental American values of freedom and tolerance, values that stand in stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us,” he said. “Let us give thanks for all the men and women in uniform who defend these values for their new threats, and let us remember those who laid down their lives for our country.”

Reflecting on the importance of attending, Cannon Bupka, a senior at Carmichaels Area High School, quoted the saying that took hold after 9/11: “Never forget.”

“Obviously, the people who did experience it, they’re not always going to be here,” he said. “So I think it’s very important for those of us that didn’t experience it to keep carrying on the tradition.”

Garrett Neese

Members of the Carmichaels & Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Company bow their heads in prayer at the start of Thursday’s 9/11 memorial ceremony in Carmichaels.