ATHOL — Even after 17 years, the pain and horror remain fresh in the minds and hearts of those who lost loved ones during the Sept. 11 terrorist attack planned by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Nearly 3,000 people died that day in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon.
“It gets a little easier every year,” said retired police officer John Buck of Athol, who was among the police officers, firefighters, dignitaries, town officials and retired emergency responders in attendance at the somber remembrance ceremony held by the Athol Fire Department Tuesday morning. Among those were State Rep. Susannah Whipps, retired Fire Chief John Duguay, retired Police Lt. Kevin Heath and Town Manager Shaun Suhoski.
“I remember the good times,” said Buck, whose cousin Suzanne Geraty died in Building 2.
Affixed to his breast pocket with a pair of U.S. flag pins was a black and white photo of Geraty next to an American flag. Geraty worked in a financial office and called her mother as she was attempting to evacuate the building. Buck said her mother remembers watching the tragedy unfolding on the television when the call came. Suzanne said there was a fire in her building and that they were racing down the stairs. Buck recalled being told, “she said ‘whatever happens — I’ll be OK.’ They never found her.”
She was in her 20s. Buck said, “I think it was quick — there were 700 of them going down those stairs.”
Like others whose loved ones died in the attacks, her mother was given a private tour of the site by Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Geraty’s name is among the nearly 3,000 others inscribed in bronze on the National Sept. 11 Memorial in New York City.
Buck’s nephew, Steve Buck, was working in Building 4 in the World Trade Center Complex, when the attack began. Said Buck, “He saw the second plane hit the building and ran. He remembers bodies on the ground and him running through all that. He got on a train and called his brother and said he was heading out of the city and never going back. He’s had a tough life since then. He never went back.”
Roughly 30 people, including the first responders involved in the ceremony, turned out for the annual service held inside the empty bay area of the uptown fire station.
Whipps said, “Everybody has a story — some connection to someone affected by what happened that day.”
She recalled how her nephew Michael was just dropped off at college, a young man from a small town going off to the city, and then experiencing this tragedy. Although he was 12-14 blocks away, she said, “We started calling – we couldn’t reach him. He ran 60 blocks up to my cousin’s house up in the west side just to get away. But for hours and hours we tried calling, there was just no way to get through. There was a lot of fear until we were able to get through that evening. It was very scary.”
Whipps said, “Growing up we’re taught — if you see danger — run. Our first responders, these men and women, run toward it every day. I’m proud to be here to support them.”
Following the opening remarks by Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Parker, Chaplain Dan Parsons offered the opening prayer.
Officer Todd Neale led the Pledge of Allegiance. Detective Peter Buck recited the Policeman’s Prayer, and Firefighter Chad Girard recited the Firefighter’s Prayer.
Deputy Chief Parker spoke briefly about the attack, acknowledging those who were lost that day. He said that among the casualties at the World Trade Center, 343 New York City firefighters perished in their effort to save others.
He asked for a moment of silence and all bowed their heads, the men in attendance removing their caps. The last call, the 5-5-5-5 sounding of the bell, in front of the firehouse, was performed by Firefighter Travis Brailey. As the bell tolled, there was nothing but absolute silence as the hollow sound echoed around the empty bay area, the detail of firefighters and police officers lined in respectful salute. The detail included Firefighter William Publicover, Fire Captain Eric Jack, Firefighter Chad Girard, Officer Todd Neale, Detective Peter Buck, Orange Police Chief Craig Lundgren, Deputy Chief Jeffrey Parker, Officer Donald Hager, and Firefighter Travis Brailey.
The U.S. flag was lowered to half-staff by Brailey and Hager. Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee member Mitchell Grosky sang “America,” and the flag was raised back to full-staff.
The Chaplain concluded the ceremony, in part saying, “Our hearts are warmed by the love shown by those remembering today.