9/11 a day of solemn remembrance

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By Lisa Moore
Hometown Weekly Correspondent

It has been 16 years since terrorists hijacked four planes on suicide missions intending to kill Americans and disrupt our way of life. “Never forget” became a national rallying cry as American’s were left stunned with the realization that an attack of the magnitude seen on September 11 could ever happen on US soil.

Last week, Wellesley residents held a memorial ceremony on September 11, as they have done for the last 16 years. Held at the Wellesley Firehouse on Route 9, firefighters, Wellesley police officers, and nearly two dozen residents and dignitaries attended the solemn ceremony to remember the 2977 individuals who lost their lives, the nearly 6000 injured, and the four Wellesley residents, Neilie Casey, Edmond Glaser, John Cahill, and Patrick Quigley, who died during those attacks.

Rabbi Moshe Bleich from the Wellesley Weston Chabad Center performed the invocation at the start of the ceremony, reminding those in attendance to “stay true to our moral bearings” as they gathered in friendship and unity to honor those lost. He spoke of this day as a day to remember those lost and find ways to productively combat hatred.

State Representative Alice Peisch echoed that sentiment, acknowledging how Wellesley resident Patty Quigley turned her grief at losing her husband into a positive action toward creating change. After her husband died, Patty joined forces with humanitarian Razia Jan, founder and president of Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation. Together, they work to provide free education for more than 650 Afghan girls and young women, with the goal of ending the cycle of poverty, despair, and terrorism in Afghanistan.

Board of Selectmen Jack Morgan thanked attendees and those involved in the ceremony for “their continued dedication to remembering the tragic events of 9/11 and the reaffirmation of what we stand for in this country.” He also added: “We need to continue to strive to uphold our values and make this a place where we never face this kind of threat again.”

After the dignitaries concluded their remarks, the attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance, led by veteran Dick Dillon, followed by a tolling of the fire bell and “Amazing Grace.” In honor of the efforts of all of the first responders, including the 343 firefighters and 72 police officers who perished as they bravely did their jobs, and the 33 others that have died since 9/11 from related injuries, Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Peterson read the Fireman’s Prayer and Police Officer Christopher Fritts read the Policeman’s Prayer.

The ceremony was closed with Rabbi Bleich performing the benediction and sounding a blast on the shofar with the hope of ringing in a year of peace in Wellesley and around the world.