By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
Members of Good Will Fire Co. No. 1, Trexlertown, commemorated the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in Manhattan; the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the downing of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville.
Dennis McArdle, fire marshal and vice president of Good Will Fire Co. No. 1, served as master of ceremonies.
Also, on hand were Ellen Millard Kern, chief of staff for state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th,; state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th,; Good Will Fire Chief Gary Mattox; Christopher Greb, operations manager, Macungie Ambulance Corps; Lower Macungie Township Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan Kayes, and members of the Good Will Fire Company.
Two 30-foot by 60-foot American flags were displayed - one from Good Will Fire Company’s aerial truck 2531, the other from Lower Macungie Fire Department’s 8031.
Pipers James Ruhf, Jim Baldree and Greg Ross led the procession as well as performed “Amazing Grace” at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Police officers on hand to lay a commemorative wreath were Trooper 1st Class Nathan Branosky with State Police Troop M, Bethlehem, and Upper Macungie Township Patrol Office David Malischewski.
Upper Macungie Township Bureau of Fire Director Peter Christ and Alburtis Fire Department Capt. Josh Houck also presented a commemorative wreath.
Good Will Fire Co. No. 1 Auxiliary President Linda Gorr recited a poem of remembrance for the victims of 9/11.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Two 60-foot by 30-foot American flags fly from Good Will Fire Co. No. 1 Aerial 2521 and Lower Macungie Fire Department's Aerial 8031 during the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Sept. 11 at the Good Will Fire Co. No. 1, Trexlertown.
Good Will Fire Co. No. 1 Assistant Fire Chief and Army veteran Len Waller leads firefighters in rendering a hand salute during the Good Will Fire Co. No. 1 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.
Good Will Fire Co. No. 1's Chief Gary Mattox reflects on challenges facing firefighters in today's world.
Lower Macungie Fire Department Assistant Chief Jonathan Kayes, also reflected on the challenges of current firefighting.
Ellen Millard Kern, chief of staff for state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, thanks first responders for their commitment to the needs of the community.
State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, encouraged all to be responsible for their actions within their communities.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Pipers James Ruhf, Gary Ross and Jim Baldree led the officials to their seats at the Good Will Fire Co. No. 1, Trexlertown, 20th anniversary commemoration of Sept. 11, 2001.
Presenting a wreath in memory of the 60 police officers lost during 9/11 are Trooper 1st Class Nathan Branosky with Troop M, Bethlehem, and Upper Macungie Patrol Officer David Malischewski. Presenting a wreath in memory of the 343 firefighters who died during 9/11 are Lower Macungie Fire Department Capt. Josh Houck and Upper Macungie Township Bureau of Fire Director Peter Christ.
Christopher Greb, operations manager, Macungie Ambulance Corps strikes a bell in remembrance of each incident which occurred at the same time on Sept. 11, 2001: 8:46 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center; 9:03 a.m. United Airlines Fight 175 hits the South Tower; 9:37 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon and 10:03 a.m. United Flight 93 crashes in a field in Shanksville, Somerset County.
An assembly of the participants in the Good Will Fire Co. No.1, Trexlertown, 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony held Sept. 11 at the fire station.
