By Joshua Byers
The Tribune-Democrat
SHANKSVILLE, Pa. – The bravery and courage of those who gave their lives in service to others during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was at the forefront of Friday’s first responder remembrance ceremony at Flight 93 National Memorial.
“May we live worthy of the sacrifice they have made,” retired Arlington County Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Gray said.
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Friday’s event was part of Somerset County’s 25/250 commemoration, which honors not only the nation’s 250th anniversary, but also the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 near Shanksville.
Gray was one of the firefighters who responded to the attack at the Pentagon 25 years ago and one of several speakers who expressed their gratitude for the first responders who rushed to the scenes in New York City, Somerset County and suburban Washington, D.C.
He and the others also described the passengers and crew of Flight 93 as the first responders of that incident because of the action they took against the hijackers.
The ceremony was started by a procession of roughly 40 emergency apparatuses that traveled from the Somerset Regional Volunteer Fire Department down State Route 281 to U.S. Route 30 and concluded at Flight 93 National Memorial. As each entered the Memorial Plaza, they drove under a large American flag hung from a Somerset aerial unit.
Although there was a slight delay due to weather, the event continued without issue once it started.
Somerset County Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said the ceremony allowed those in attendance to honor the fallen “in the shadow of heroes.” She served as emcee for the evening, inviting guests such as retired Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Terry Shaffer to the stage.
Shaffer said for many first responders, such as himself, Sept. 11, 2001, does not feel so long ago. He was one of hundreds who arrived at the field outside Shanksville that day.
“As first responders, we run toward danger, hoping we can help others,” Shaffer said, adding that the first responders in the audience should share their memories of that day with others, not only to educate the next generations, but also to inspire them to follow in their footsteps.
Brad Shober, the Shanksville fire department’s president and assistant chief, remembered hearing the news and making his way home to start assisting whatever effort there was.
He was teaching at a school in Cumberland, Maryland, when he called his then-wife to find out what was going on.
“Once I found out what happened up here, I made arrangements for my kids and came up,” Shober said.
He started at the fire hall, where volunteers were making food for the first responders, and he helped there before going to the site where he spent the rest of the day assisting with the recovery effort.
Reflecting on the past 25 years and witnessing the evolution of the memorial has been a special experience, Shober said.
Jarrett Yantus, Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department’s vice president and truck foreman, agreed.
“I’ve lived it my entire life and it’s very meaningful to see everybody come out,” he said.
The pair were surrounded by dozens of firefighters from throughout the region and from out of state, such as Maryland’s Accident Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Allen Bach. Surveying the brotherhood and sisterhood experienced Friday was moving for him.
“It’s like the community coming together,” he said.
Other speakers Friday included Brandon Anaya, son of FDNY firefighter Calixto “Charlie” Anaya Jr ., who died clearing the lobby when the South Tower collapsed; Somerset native U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Beer; and Somerset Fire Chief James Clark.
“It’s very touching when we are all here,” Clark said.
He also shared the significance of the bell to the fire service prior to the somber last alarm ceremony.
The event concluded with the apparatuses processing to the Tower of Voices, where the Tunnel to Towers Foundation had set up the Tower of Lights for display.
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