2008 News

September 12, 2008

“Hope, Faith …. And Eternal Vigilance”
Commissioners Join Public Safety Community to Host 7th Anniversary “Ceremony of Remembrance” for Sept. 11, 2001 Victims

Pictures -- Audio

As members of Bucks County’s Public Safety Committee stood at uniformed attention, Commissioners James F. Cawley, chairman, Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW paid solemn tribute this morning to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA.

The list of those remembered beneath piercing sunshine in the Doylestown Courthouse courtyard included 18 Bucks Countians who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, and 17 Bucks County armed service men and women who subsequently perished during the ongoing War on Terror. Chairman Cawley requested a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the moment when the first jetliner struck the World Trade Center.

“This morning, as we honor those we have lost, we also honor our local and regional first-responder community,” Cawley told the assemblage. “More than two centuries ago, President Thomas Jefferson opined, ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

Throughout the program, the Court St. backdrop featured emergency preparedness and response vehicles that underscore Bucks County’s regional, collaborative approach to public safety. They included an EMS mass care vehicle, a BearCat tactical armored security vehicle used by county SWAT teams, the CP-800 mobile command vehicle, the Dept. of Corrections mobile command post, and a giant American flag draped from the extended ladders of Doylestown Fire Company trucks.

“Since Sept. 11, 2001, we have made great strides to continue ensuring public safety here in Bucks County and throughout the region,” Commissioner Cawley noted, referring to the county’s centralized Emergency Operations Center, soon-to-be-opened 911 Communications center, forensic facility and Emergency Health Dept. events such as the annual Pandemic Flu Drill (to be conducted this year on Saturday, Oct. 18). “In addition, we joined Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties to launch the Ready Region campaign, which emphasizes the importance of individual emergency preparedness.”

Commissioner Marseglia read each of the 18 names of the Bucks Countians who passed away on Sept. 11, 2001, asking all present to “keep them and their families in your prayers.”

Commissioner Martin followed her to the podium to read the 17 names of Bucks County’s fallen soldiers in the War on Terror, all of whom are honored on the “Hometown Heroes” banners ringing the courtyard.

Stated Commissioner Martin: “Your presence here today speaks volumes that you haven’t forgotten about Sept. 11, and I think it’s important to remember that old saying, ‘Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.’ We certainly don’t want to repeat the history of Sept. 11, seven years ago.”

The Hon. Mitchell S. Goldberg of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas delivered remarks on behalf of President Judge David W. Heckler, recalling his memories of being in center city Philadelphia on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Judge Goldberg praised the members of the Bucks County District Attorney’s office and the county Sheriff’s Department, adding, “There are a large group of people who labor very hard every day to make us all feel safer. Make no mistake about it, their jobs are very dangerous.”

The keynote address was presented by former Pennsylvania Director of Homeland Security and Senior Advisor to the Governor Keith Martin. His speech focused on themes of vigilance and awareness. “Physically, in this beautiful setting, we are at a time and place of remembrance and respect for what happened and who sacrificed,” Mr. Martin observed. “Mentally, we’re at a time and place for reflection and resolve on a day appropriately designated as Patriot Day, and a month designated as Emergency Preparedness Month.”

Mr. Martin joined the commissioners and Chester County Emergency Service Director in recognizing Bucks County Emergency Services Director John Dougherty, who chaired the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force from its 1998 inception until May, 2008. Atkins, the new task force chair, presented Dougherty with a plaque, while the Commissioners offered a Letter of Commendation. Noted Chairman Cawley: “In the words of one colleague, ‘As the leader of the most populous of the nine Pennsylvania Emergency Management regions, John rightfully took his place as one of the major players in the statewide counterterrorism effort.’ “

The colors were presented and the American Flag raised and lowered to half staff by the Dept. of Corrections Honor Guard, consisting of Bucks County Correctional Facility Sgt. Ronald Feliciano, Sgt. Christopher Gaudet, Ofc. Alex Perez and Ofc. Robert Devlin. The invocation was delivered by the Rev. Charles Hagan, pastor of Doylestown’s Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish. Renditions of the National Anthem and “Proud to be an American” were performed a capella by the William Tennent High School Madrigal Choir.

For a full audio account of the Sept. 11 Ceremony of Remembrance, please go to www.BucksCounty.org and click on the link.

The 18 Bucks Countians who perished during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks:

- Michael A. Bane – Yardley                 - Lorraine Bay – Langhorne
- James P. Berger – Lower Makefield   -  Jeffrey M. Chairnoff – Lower Makefield
- Peter Chirchirillo – Langhorne          - William R. Godshalk – Lower Makefield
- Donald G. Havlish, Jr. – Yardley        - Donald W. Jones – Fairless Hills
- William H. Kelly, Jr. – Lower Makefield   - Joseph Lostrangio – Langhorne
- Louis Nacke – New Hope                     -Joshua Reiss – Lower Makefield
- John Michael Rodak- Southampton     - Victor Saracini – Yardley
- Larry Senko – Lower Makefield            - Barbara A. Shaw - Bensalem
- William Steiner – Lower Makefield      - Sandra Wright – Langhorne

The 17 Bucks County “Hometown Heroes who have been killed during the ongoing War on Terror:

- Kristofor T. Stonesifer, Oct. 19, 2001     - Patrick R. Nixon, March 23, 2003
- William J. Maher, III, July 28, 2003       - Brian R. Faunce, Sept. 18, 2003
- Tamarra J. Ramos, Oct. 1, 2003              - Maurice J. Johnson, Nov. 1, 2003
- Edward W. Brabazon, March 9, 2004     - Barton R. Humlhanz, Aug. 26, 2004
- Robert T. Mininger, June 6, 2005            - Kurt E. Krout, Aug. 6, 2005
- Nathaniel E. DeTample, Aug. 9, 2005      - Jae S. Moon, Dec. 25, 2006
- Travis L. Manion, April 29, 2007             - Colby J. Umbrell, May 3, 2007
- Robert H. Dembowski, May 24, 2007      - Allen J. Dunckley, May 25, 2007
- Shawn M. Suzch, Hilltown, May 10, 2008