Cape Cod remembers 9-11

A crowd of 300 to 400 local residents gather in Buzzards Bay Park yesterday to remember and honor those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001.  (Jack Coleman photo)

Lest we forget

By Jack Coleman, capecodtoday correspondent

BUZZARDS BAY -- Except for the autumnal chill and steady gusts, it was so much like that day five years ago. The dome of sky was a crystalline blue as several hundred people gathered early Monday evening in Buzzards Bay Park for a September 11th Remembrance organized by state representatives Jeffrey Perry and Susan Williams Gifford, whose districts border one another on the Upper Cape.

A flag attached to the ladder arm of a Bourne fire engine flew overhead at the Sept. 11 Remembrance service held early Monday evening in Buzzards Bay Park.  (Jack Coleman photos)

Lt. Gov. Healey poses beside the painting "Never Forget" by artist and former Buzzards Bay restaurant owner Alex Byron with, former left, Ervin "Tootsie" Russell of Wareham, an aide to Congressman Barney Frank, and Flo and Joanne Byron, also of Wareham, Alex Byron's sisters.

Volunteers with the non-profit group Cape Cod Cares For Our Troops collect donations at yesterday's observance in Buzzards Bay Park to be sent to American military personnel around the world. (Jack Coleman photos)

Shortly after Col. Paul Worcester, commander of the 102nd Fighter Interceptor Wing began his remarks, two F-15s from the base suddenly roared past the crowd and nearby railroad bridge over the canal, the Cape's twin towers.

The flyover was expected but only a few knew exactly when the planes would streak overhead, from a base that provided the first military response on Sept. 11. The abrupt appearance of the fighter planes was an inadvertent reminder of the sudden fury of the terrorist attacks on a September morning now a half-decade past.

"That means I'm speaking too slow," Worcester quipped after the jets flew past, to laughter from the crowd. The laughter was a good sign, of distance from that horrific morning in September 2001, and of relief perhaps the nation has not been attacked again, for whatever reasons. 

"Our brothers and sisters in arms have selflessly and willingly dedicated their lives to the peace and freedom we often take for granted," Worcester said. "My fellow servicemen and women would be humbled by your expression of thanks."

Many in the audience wore the uniforms of current or past service, not just in the military, but as police and firefighters from across the region. A large American flag flew from the extended ladder of a Bourne fire engine, and many in the audience brought flags of their own, small and large. Members of four honor guards stood at attention before the gazebo where speakers addressed the crowd.

"There have been times in this country when we have not appropriately appreciated the sacrifices of our firefighters, police officers, emergency service officials and armed forces make for us when we need them most," Perry said. "Today, five years after September 11, 2001, it is my hope for the future that America never repeats the mistake of failing to honor and support our military and public safety officials. We dedicate this day to honor those we lost five years ago in service to our nation."

Before introducing Lt. Gov. Healey, Rep. Williams Gifford said that "our comfort, if there is to be any in this terrible event, is that we are a stronger, more vigilant nation than ever before. "Moreover, we can take pride in the countless acts of selfless heroism and bravery we witnessed not only by police, fire and EMS personnel but by every day citizens as well," Williams Gifford said. "This is what it means to be an American."

Police and firefighters routinely risk their lives in the line of duty, Healey said, "and we take that for granted, often."

"But on 9/11, we saw just how far that dedication extended," Healey said. "They didn't hesitate, they didn't consider their own safety, or even the safety of their loved ones, how they would survive in their absence.

"They only thought of how to help others. They acted spontanteously, they acted selflessly, out of pure charity and a pure sense of duty," Healey said. "That's an old-fashioned value, but one we could use a lot more of in society."

State Police Sgt. Dan Clark, known as "The Singing Troop," sang patriotic songs, and Sandwich sophomore Kysta Lubold delivered a strong rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Adding solemnity to the occasion were the musicians of the Falmouth-based Brian Boru group with their stirring bagpipes.
Not far from the gazebo, volunteers with the non-profit group Cape Cod Cares For The Troops collected donations of food, toiletries and other items to be sent to American military personnel stationed around the world.

Perry and Williams Gifford presented honored Dylan DeSilva, the 13-year-old Brewster resident instrumental in starting Cape Cod Cares For The Troops, with a proclamation signed by House Speaker Sal DiMasi.

The group, formed 18 months ago, sent out its 1,000th package last week. The 1,001st package was sent to an Iraqi soldier, said volunteer Jon Lambrou of Brewster.

Those turning out filled more than a dozen large boxes with donations, Lambrou said. "Not to mention the contacts we made. We just picked up another  bunch of drop-off sites and a whole bunch of organizations that are going to help us," including a local church, Boy Scout troop and two businesses.

Jack Coleman is a freelance writer, newspaper copy editor and blogger who lives in Plymouth.