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By Bill Van Tassel
LEWISTON — First responders, city officials, area residents and two members of Maine’s congressional delegation attended the Lewiston Fire Department’s annual ceremony commemorating those lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
As rain lightly fell outside, the Fire Department event, was held at the Central Fire Station on the 17th anniversary of the attacks.
In addition to the honor guard, there were many firemen present along with Chief Brian Stockdale, who welcomed the guest speakers, city administrators and area residents before sharing his thoughts.
Addressing children from Hope Haven Christian School who were attending, he began his remarks by pointing out how they are too young to have experienced the human tragedy in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksfield, Pa.
“How do we remember and honor them?” he said.
Stockdale and the guest speakers — Angus King and Bruce Poliquin — said local and national rescue personnel put their lives on the line every day, just as the hundreds of firemen, police and EMTs did on Sept. 11, 2001.
King said, “It shouldn’t take an attack like this to bring us together.” He honored the first responders who died and said other kinds of attacks are still going on today, sometimes using the tools of the digital/computer age.
Poloquin said “we should not be protesting our first responders. It’s important to never forget 9/11. We don’t want to lose our history.”
Other speakers at the event were Lewiston Mayor Shane Bouchard and a representative from Sen. Susan Collins’ office.
Fire Department Chaplain John Robbins of Hope Haven read the “Fire Fighters’ Prayer.”
Bouchard read the names of all the individuals who were killed on 9/11 who had ties to Maine.
PHOTO: Children from Hope Haven Christian School listen at Lewiston’s 9/11 ceremony as John Robbins, the Lewiston Fire Department chaplain, reads the “Fire Fighter’s Prayer.” The children came to the event with Beverly Robbins, Robbins’ wife. (Bill Van Tassel photo)
