story and photos by Christopher Martin,
Brockport Fire District PIO
Firefighters, EMS Personnel, Law Enforcement, Emergency Communications and the U.S. Military were all present at one time or another during the Brockport Fire District’s day long vigil at the 9/11 Memorial on Main Street in Brockport to mark the 24th anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks.
Event planners were on site shortly after 5:30 a.m. preparing the site for the vigil to follow. The District flag was replaced with the black and red memorial flag and lowered to half-staff. Candles were placed on the monument. The bell was placed at the entry to the engraved walkway and the sound system was set up for the ceremonies to follow.
At 8:30 a.m., the Gates Police Keystone Pipes and Drums started the ceremony with “America The Beautiful” on the pipes.
Past Chief Christian McCullough was the Master of Ceremonies for the opening ceremony. He shared with the crowd his personal connections to NYC and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Chief McCullough had attended training with the FDNY and from his dorm room could see the massive Twin Towers every morning. He was in class with some of those lost on 9/11. And, he had stood on the observation deck of Tower 1 with friends only two weeks before the attacks. Yes, it was personal for him.
Fire Department Chaplain Alan Way offered the Firemen’s Prayer during the opening ceremony as is often done when remembering a lost firefighter.
Members from SUNY Brockport’s ROTC Battalion participated once again. They removed the worn American flag from the 30-foot pole, folded it military style, and switched it out for a new one. This was raised to full staff and lowered back to half staff in accordance with Presidential Orders surrounding Patriot Day.
At 8:47 a.m., the Memorial Bell was rung 5-5-5-5, an FDNY signal to relay a Firefighter Line of Duty Death (LODD). Immediately following the First Responders with their Military counterparts and members of the community then took their place on the Monument providing a day-long Honor Guard to pay their respects to those lost that fateful day, and those we continue to lose as a result of illnesses from working the pile at Ground Zero during the recovery effort.
At 6 p.m., the Honor Guard was replaced by the “Ring of Gold” where command personnel from various agencies gather together for a moment of silence prior to the closing ceremony.
At 6:30 p.m., the first responders from the tri-county region and beyond were led in formation into the ceremony by a piper from Gates Police Keystone Pipes and Drums.
The keynote speaker for the evening ceremony was Father Joseph Marcoux from Nativity BVM Church.
Major Marcoux as he is known when serving with the NY ARMY National Guard, shared his thoughts and prayers with the community. Senator Rob Ortt spoke about his experiences and encouraged all to pass on what we know with the youth of today. Fire Chief Tim Smith spoke about remembering the feeling of unity that followed the attacks and the values we all possessed at the time. He wishes to instill them into his own children as it is vital for future generations to be there for each other in times of need. Father Joe offered a closing prayer and Bugler Luke Dowdell closed the ceremony with the traditional playing of Taps.
The piper led the emergency responders away after the ceremony ended.
