First responders honored as 9/11 remembered

Published in the September 13, 2017 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — On Monday, over 200 residents gathered on the Town Common to mark the 16th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as well as to pay tribute to the town’s first responders during the second annual First Responders Day.

Rotary Club Board of Directors member Jason Kimball, who organized the event once again, served as the master of ceremonies during First Responders Day. He said the event serves as a tribute to first responders.

“In the wake of the two hurricanes with the great things first responders have done recently, it’s great we are back here doing this event again,” said Kimball. “It’s also a day to reflect and memorialize the tragedy that occurred on 9/11.”

After a moment of silence in honor of the 2,996 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, Kimball thanked the town for funding First Responders Day.

“Last year, the Rotary Club put this together and raised a lot of money to pay for the barbecue and DJ services,” said Kimball. “This year, the town of Lynnfield by way of our three selectmen and town administrator were able to come up with funds to support this event that way our kind sponsors can raise money for our Police and Fire departments.”

After Kimball thanked the event’s sponsors and the town, Fire Chaplain Rev. Robert Bacon of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church gave the invocation.

Fire chief remarks

Kimball introduced Fire Chief Mark Tetreault after Rev. Bacon gave the invocation. Tetreault said Sept. 11, 2001 is a “day we will never forget.”

“But here we are 16 years later, our memories have begun to fade and we have a new generation who was not even born on 9/11,” said Tetreault. “And the children of the many first responders that responded 9/11 have followed in their parents’ footsteps and are now firefighters and police officers.”

Tetreault said, “Unfortunately, the death toll from 9/11 continues to rise as rescuers who worked the days after 9/11 have succumbed to occupational cancers and chronic respiratory problems.”

“No firefighter looks at himself as a hero,” said Tetreault. “We accept the inherent risk of the job. When we respond to a fire, no one truly believes this will be their last alarm. September 11 was different. Every firefighter who entered those towers knew there was a very real possibility that this would be their last alarm, and even knowing this, they went up those stairwells anyway.”

While Tetreault said America “experienced the worst of humanity” on Sept. 11, 2001, he also said the U.S. “experienced the best.”

“We had countless volunteers who put their life on hold to respond to New York City to do what they could, including Lynnfield firefighters,” said Tetreault.

Tetreault said the first responders who answered the call on Sept. 11 put aside their differences to come together as Americans.

“We have to remember the lessons learned from 9/11,” said Tetreault. “We have to remember the bad things that happened to prevent them from ever happening again, but we also have to remember how we all came together on 9/11. We shared our grief, we helped one another and we all recognized there was something in this world bigger than ourselves.”

After Tetreault concluded his remarks, he was given a round of applause. Kimball also presented the fire chief with a $1,500 check that will be donated to the Town of Lynnfield Rescue Fund, which supports the Fire Department.

Police chief remarks

Police Chief David Breen spoke after Tetreault. He thanked the event’s attendees for honoring first responders.

“The date couldn’t be more fitting for all of us, first responders included, to celebrate those who have given their life and those put others lives before their own,” said Breen.

Breen said it’s a “privilege” for local first responders to work in Lynnfield.

“All of the men and women in the Lynnfield Police Department understand we are fortunate to work here,” said Breen. “We have a great working relationship with the residents of Lynnfield. If a problem surfaces, people are willing to work together. We have established partnerships to resolve some of these issues.”

After Breen was appointed police chief in 2010, he sat down with former Town Administrator Bill Gustus to discuss his new role.

“We talked about some of the issues that faced Lynnfield,” said Breen. “Bill told me anybody can point a finger at a problem, but it is more difficult to work together to solve them. It was soon apparent to me how true that was. When we work together, we can achieve greater results.”

After Breen concluded his speech, he was given a round of applause. Kimball also presented the police chief with a $1,500 check that will be donated to the Lynnfield Police Association.

Rotary Club president

Rotary Club President Dr. Robert Schumacher thanked the 200 residents for coming to First Responders Day.

“This is such a worthy cause,” said Schumacher. “The first responders here have done a lot for us. Lynnfield Rotary is committed to the motto service above self, which is what our first responders do as well.”

Barrett remarks

After Schumacher concluded his remarks, Board of Selectmen Chairman Chris Barrett gave the keynote address during First Responders Day. He thanked the 200 residents for coming together during the event and Lynnfield Rotary for hosting it.

“On behalf of the Lynnfield Board of Selectmen, we appreciate your presence here tonight because it shows the importance we place in honoring the heroes among us,” said Barrett. “Our first responders.”

Barrett also thanked the local children in attendance, particularly the Boy Scouts.

“The presence of our children here today on the Town Common reminds us that there will always be a bright dawn ahead for our great and magnificent nation,” said Barrett. “When you think of it, there is no better place than this historic Town Common to gather as a community to honor our first responders. We stand directly across from hallowed ground – the Old Burial Ground – the final resting place of so many heroes before us – who first stopped at this very spot to answer America’s first call to respond to protect and defend all that we hold and cherish.”

Barrett noted a first responder is “anyone who responds to an emergency” whether its national, state or local.

“In American history, three dates are engrained in our national conscience and stand-alone among all others when it came to our immediate need to respond to a national threat,” said Barrett. “These dates are April 15, 1775, December 7, 1941 and most recently, September 11, 2001. America’s heroic response during these historic dates has defined who we are today as a nation.”

Barrett said it’s been 16 years since “that tragic morning when all that we hold and cherish as a nation was attacked and threatened.”

“But a second hasn’t gone by when we haven’t stopped to remember the brave men and women who lost their lives on that fateful September morning,” said Barrett. “While we stop to remember the innocent lives lost, it is also fitting to honor the heroes among us, our first responders, who are always ready and willing to rush towards harms way when all hope seems to be lost.”

Barrett noted many of the town’s children were not alive on September 11.

“September 11 taught all of us that our heroes don’t wear capes and heroes don’t wear sports uniforms,” said Barrett. “Rather, it taught us once and for all that our true heroes are the men and women who wear the uniform of a police officer, a firefighter, an EMT and, of course, the men and women who proudly wear the uniform of our military. All faiths, all ethnicities, all backgrounds wear these uniforms with one common patriotic goal to serve, protect and defend all that we hold and cherish as a community and most importantly, as nation.

“In this troubled world filled with much darkness,” Barrett continued. “We here in America find much hope in our first responders because it is our men and women in uniform who light the way and give us the hope we need in our times of most need.”

Closing ceremony

After Barrett concluded his speech, Rev. Bacon gave the benediction and Calvary Christian Church associate pastor Bobby Durning performed “Amazing Grace” on a set of bagpipes. The event’s attendees are enjoyed a free barbecue provided by the town.