The Village of Hilton, in partnership with the Hilton-Parma Council of Churches and the Hilton Fire Department, held a Candlelight Vigil on September 10 to honor the lives lost and the brave first responders who answered the call during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Mayor Andrew Fowler delivered the following remarks:
“This evening reminds us of the importance of remembering. As the years pass, it becomes our responsibility to ensure that future generations understand the significance of this day and the lessons it taught us. We remember because those lives mattered. We remember because their stories deserve to be told. And we remember because memory keeps their legacy alive.
Tonight is also a time for reflection. We reflect on the fragility of life, the strength of the human spirit, and the values that bind us together as Americans and as neighbors. We reflect on how communities across our nation came together in the days that followed, choosing compassion over fear and unity over division.
Finally, we gather because community matters. In times of hardship, healing begins when people come together. Just as Americans stood united after 9/11, we are reminded tonight that we are strongest when we support one another, care for one another, and face challenges together.
As we light our candles this evening, may their glow serve as a symbol of remembrance, hope, and unity. May we honor those we lost not only with our words, but through our actions, by building a community founded on kindness, service, and compassion.”
Photos by Maureen Spindler
