Mayor Barbara Schlegel welcomed area residents to Catasauqua’s 9/11 memorial service Sunday.

“This is the 15-year anniversary of the attack, and we thought it was appropriate to set aside time to honor those who braved the dangers and lost their lives,” she said.

The event started in the early afternoon at American Legion Post 215. The borough invited vendors, and the Legion post provided food for purchase. At 5 p.m., the memorial service began with an invocation by Bishop James McIver of the Revolution Church on Race Street.

Borough Police Chief Douglas Kish sang the national anthem.

As the ceremony progressed, Felicia Jones took the podium to recount the events of Sept. 11. She halted after each significant moment for prayers, hymns and the playing of bagpipes.

At the end of the presentations, the crowd released 100 red, white and blue balloons that drifted up into a bright blue sky.

Members of the Catasauqua Fire Department attended in strength. The attacks in New York City Sept. 11, 2001, caused the greatest loss of firefighters in the nation’s history, as these brave men rushed to guide people down the stairs of the World Trade Center’s twin towers.

Fire Chief Richard Hertzog explained the significance of the five bells.

“The practice started in the late 19th century in New York. It was designed to let the rank and file know that a significant loss had occurred,” he said. “It was first used after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.”

Members of the Revolution Church choir sang “Amazing Grace” and concluded the ceremony with a rendition of “God Bless America.”