Published September 19. 2023 12:52PM
by DANA GRUBB Special to the Bethlehem Press
Hanover Township held its 22nd annual Patriot Day ceremony in front of the township’s recreation center Sept. 11, commemorating the loss, sacrifice and service of Americans killed in the terrorist attacks that day, and who continue to deal with the ramifications of the attack on their physical and emotional health.
Township commissioner John Diacogiannis spoke about how the loss of friends and business associates working in the World Trade Center that fateful morning has impacted him since. He asked for a moment of silence so attendees could contemplate the losses.
Guest speaker Brigadier General Timothy Brooks (PA Ret.) quoted President George W. Bush, saying, “This is a day when all Americans unite.” Brooks noted that the people of the United States have many things and opportunities because “We are America.”
Boy Scouts from Troops 318, 352, 359 and 3193 were joined by Cub Scouts from packs 352, 360 and 368 as they conducted a flag retirement ceremony of faded, worn and damaged American flags to end the Patriot Day service. The scouts folded each flag, and passed them by hand to burning barrels into which scout leaders placed them to be destroyed.
Press photos by DANA GRUBB Hanover (Norco) Township Commissioner John Diacogiannis speaks about the personal impact 9/11 had on him.
“I challenge all of you to live your lives like it was September 12, 2001,” says guest speaker Brigadier General Timothy Brooks (Pa. Ret.).
Scouts hold a flag scheduled to be retired during the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Patriot Day attendees recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the flag retirement service.
Hundreds of flags are stacked on a table ready to be retired from use.
A gantlet of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts pass the retired flags along to the burning barrels.
Troop 352 Scoutmaster Mike Mille and Assistant Scoutmaster Brian Bricco retire the flags.
