2009 News
September 11, 2009
“A Day for Americans to Unite in Our Resolve for Justice and Peace"
Commissioners Martin and Cawley Host Sept. 11, 2001 8th Annual Ceremony of Remembrance
With raindrops pelting the pane glass windows of the Bucks County Courthouse rotunda – a stark contrast to the brilliant blue skies of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 - Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, and James F. Cawley joined fellow elected officials, special guests, members of the public and county employee colleagues for an annual Ceremony of Remembrance. The eighth annual ceremony paid special tribute to the 18 Bucks Countians who lost their lives to the horrific attacks of terrorism perpetrated on the United States. (Listen to audio of the event.)
“We thank you for coming together as a Bucks County community on this Patriot Day,” Chairman Martin told the audience. “Emergency response, however, is not limited to local or regional boundaries. It is an all-encompassing, national effort. The devastating events of Sept. 11, 2001, underscored that reality with poignant, unforgettable violence, heartache and cowardice.”
In addition to Chairman Martin’s remarks, the ceremony featured bagpiper Tim Bennett of the Warrington Police Department, the singing of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful by William Tennent High School junior Jessie Mabone, the reading of the names of the 18 Bucks Countians killed on Sept. 11, 2001 by Court of Common Pleas Judge Skip Bateman, a keynote address by Retired Army Col. Patrick Heron, and remarks from Commissioner Cawley that included the reading of the 18 names of Bucks Countians killed in the War on Terror since Sept. 11, 2001.
“It was a life-changing event for everyone assembled here and for Americans all across this great country,” Commissioner Cawley remarked. “That’s why I find it odd that there is a segment of our community – here in Bucks County and throughout our nation – that questions whether or not we should have these sorts of assemblies, that questions whether we should remember at all. But let me tell you, on that that day, at that time, the pages of the book of heroes were filled with firemen, policemen and first responders who took it upon themselves to help people they didn’t even know.”
Col. Heron’s keynote address focused on the continuing need to assist returning veterans with their re-integration to civilian life. He spoke of the 4,000-member Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, which included U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark C. Baum of Quakertown, a Bucks County Corrections Officer who died in Iraq as the result of wounds suffered from small-arms fire on Feb. 21, 2009.
“September 11, 2001 is an iconic date in our history,” Col. Heron stated. “Anyone who cares an ounce for the history of this country, and our country itself, will never forget the tragedy and terror that occurred that day. Few communities were touched as hard as the County of Bucks. Perhaps this ceremony – and ones like it – can place an emotional patch on the hurt and loss. I hope so.”
The 18 Bucks Countians who perished on Sept. 11, 2001 include:
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 18 Bucks Countians who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during the ongoing War on Terror include:
Kristofor T. Stonesifer, Oct. 19, 2001
Patrick R. Nixon, March 23, 2003
William J. Maher, III, Yardley, July 28, 2003
Brian R. Faunce, Bensalem, Sept. 18, 2003
Tamarra J. Ramos, Quakertown, Oct. 1, 2003
Maurice J. Johnson, Levittown, Nov. 1, 2003
Edward W. Brabazon, Bensalem, March 9, 2004
Barton R. Humlhanz, Hellertown, Aug. 26, 2004
Robert T. Mininger, Sellersville, June 6, 2005 |
Kurt E. Krout, Spinnerstown, Aug. 6, 2005
Nathaniel E. DeTample, Falls Twp., Aug. 9, 2005
Jae S. Moon, Levittown, Dec. 25, 2006
Travis L. Manion, Doylestown, April 29, 2007
Colby J. Umbrell, Doylestown, May 3, 2007
Robert H. Dembowski, Ivyland, May 24, 2007
Allen J. Dunckley, Yardley, May 25, 2007
Shawn M. Suzch, Hilltown, May 10, 2008
Mark C. Baum, Quakertown, Feb. 21, 2009 |
