On Thursday, Sept. 11, Acton safety personnel and residents observed the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Detective Jon Stackhouse led the ceremony outside Acton Public Safety Building, near the monument made of fragments from one of the fallen towers in New York. Stackhouse said the monument had been installed on the 10th anniversary of the attacks. He then introduced Select Board Chair Dean Charter.
Charter said all were gathered to remember the attack, mourn those lost, and to commemorate the fire, police, and EMS personnel who sacrificed their lives in the service of others. He recognized that the first responders gathered there might face similar challenges. Charter spoke of other terrorist acts and of the assassination of Charlie Kirk the previous day in Utah. He remembered the heroic acts of Acton flight attendant Amy Sweeney on Flight 11 and the passengers on Flight 93 who attempted to take back control of the plane from the terrorists. He expressed hope that people intending to do evil would step off that pathway, and he appreciated Acton’s first responders. “Our lives are truly in your hands, and I thank you.”
Stackhouse described the life stories and legacies of Phil Rosenzweig and Amy Sweeney, the two Acton residents who lost their lives in the attacks. He read the words that were spoken about Sweeney when she was awarded the FBI Director’s Award for Exceptional Public Service, in October of 2003.
Deputy Fire Chief Chris Sammet told the history of the Striking the Four Fives, a symbolic series of bell tones dating back to 1865 in New York. Fire Chief Anita Arnum remembered the losses from Sept. 11 and the illnesses suffered by many from related environmental exposure. She read a 9/11 prayer followed by a Firefighter’s Prayer.
Lauren Rosenzweig, widow of Phil, said that by honoring those lost, we honor those who work for public safety today. She appreciated Acton for being a place that helps others and reminded the audience to support the helpers.
Deputy Police Chief Doug Sturniolo read a Police Officer’s Prayer. The ceremony finished with a moment of silence, taps, and solemn bagpipe music.
Acton TV recorded the event.
