Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, and Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi joined with Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt and team along with Regional Director for American Medical Response (AMR) Patrick Leonardo, Wing Commander for the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base Colonel David Halasi-Kun, State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, and city, state, and military officials for a special September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at the 9-11 Memorial Monument at Riverfront Park on Wednesday evening.
The 9/11 Monument, a structural steel beam from the World Trade Center in New York City, was donated to the Spirit of Springfield by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The annual ceremony, a Springfield tradition since 2002, included members of the Springfield Police and Fire Departments, AMR, and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department.
Chair for the Spirit of Springfield board John Sjoberg served as the master of ceremonies, and Mayor Sarno brought greetings on behalf of the city of Springfield. The golden voice of Springfield, Vanessa Ford performed the National Anthem. The Springfield Police and Fire Honor Guards also participated. Springfield Veterans Services Director Joe DeCaro and team, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Judi Crowell, Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, Springfield Fire Department Chaplin Father Gary M. Dailey, local Wal-mart representatives, many veterans, active and retired first responders and their families, and community members also attended.
Springfield’s September 11th Monument was dedicated on June 19, 2019. This year marks five years since its arrival in Springfield. It features a vertical i-beam from the World Trade Center and a curved bronze wall listing the names of the 498 first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Most are firefighters from New York City. There are many law enforcement officers, members of the military, as well as employees of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The monument was designed and constructed by Salmon Studios in Florence, Massachusetts.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Judy Matt and the Spirit of Springfield for organizing our September 11th Remembrance Ceremony. It is so important that we remember those who lost their lives on that fateful day, September 11th 2001, including our first responders who gave the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to save others. We wish to honor and must never forget their memory and courageous bravery. Our brave and dedicated first responders are always in our hearts and prayers. They are the ones who are running into the buildings to save lives, while everyone else is running out.”
“America is still the greatest country in the world. We are the beacon of hope, democracy, strength and opportunity,” Mayor Sarno added. “Today, and every day, we are proud to be Americans and we will never forget that in our darkest hour, we all came together as one. That in this tragic event, we united to pick each other up, to care and comfort each other without regard to race, religion, creed, color or background. This is needed now more than ever. God Bless the United States of America and God Bless our City of Springfield.”
Springfield’s September 11th Remembrance Ceremony is a collaborative effort between the Springfield Police and Fire Departments, and the Spirit of Springfield. Many generous sponsors and supporters contribute to the event.
Springfield's September 11th Monument Booklet "Forever In Our Hearts" is available online. Learn more about the Springfield Police and Fire Departments’ and the Spirit of Springfield’s goal to obtain an artifact from the World Trade Center, when the piece was picked up, the hero’s welcome that it received, the monument’s design, and selecting the perfect location.
Visit the Spirit of Springfield Website: https://www.spiritofspringfield.org/events/september-11th-ceremony
