Community remembers the ‘three-pronged attack’ that shook the nation
Milford. This year’s 9/11 ceremony, held in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, remembered the men, women, and children who perished at the hands of terrorists 19 years ago.
Milford /
| 16 Sep 2020 | 05:50
Veterans gather for the 9/11 remembrance ceremony (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Members of the Milford Fire Department (from left): Captain Mike Bello, Lt. Andy Fortuin, Jake Peters, and Eric Passaro (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Gung Ho Detachment #909 of the U.S. Marine Corps League (from left): George Schmidt, Commander Gary Brink, Tim Parson, and Bugler Ray Patterson (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
American Legion Judge Advocate Thomas Kaylor, a U.S. Navy veteran. He served for four years during the Vietnam War on destroyers. He said, “I saw the world, mostly in the Mediterranean, Italy, Spain, Lebanon and Tinisia." (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
The 9/11 remembrance ceremony is soon to begin (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
The community gathers for the remembrance ceremony (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Connie Harvey, Marsch-Kellogg American Legion Post 139 Commander , with Adjutant Frank Kalmbach (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
From left: Deputy Chris Colella, Sheriff Kerry Welsh, and Deputy Ryan Fuller before the remembrance ceremony. (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Veterans prior to the ceremony (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Pike County Commissioner Steve Guccini (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
The community gathered at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Friday, Sept. 11, VFW Post #8612 Commander Gregory Protsko said, “to honor and remember the men, women and children who were killed, wounded, injured and/or traumatized in the three-pronged attack on the USA by Muslim combatants.”
This year’s 9/11 ceremony was different from the past 18 remembrances because of another national tragedy, COVID-19, which has claimed more than 196,000 American lives. Protsko asked everyone to follow all safety guidelines, especially mask wearing and social distancing.
John Kupillas, Chaplain of VFW Post #8612, opened the ceremony with a prayer. In his heartfelt address, Commander Protsko said we must never forget the sacrifices made as a result of the attack 19 years ago on America, which he compared to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
Bugler Ray Patterson of the Gung Ho Detachment #909, U.S. Marine Corps League, played Taps. VFW post members presented the salute to colors, followed by a closing prayer and the presentation of a remembrance wreath of red, white, and blue carnations.
In reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, everyone present turned to the flag and joined in.
For Commander Protsko’s full comments, please turn to page 12.
Many area veterans and non-military dignitaries were present:
Brian Evichin, Pike County Director of Veteran Affairs
Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Colella
Sheriff Kerry Welsh
Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Fuller
American Legion Judge Advocate Thomas Kaylor
VFW Post 8612 Chaplain John Kupillas
Marsch-Kellogg American Legion Post #139 Commander Connie Harvey
Marsch-Kellogg American Legion Post #139 Adjutant Frank Kalmbach
Pike County Commissioner Steve Guccini
Gung Ho Detachment #909, U.S. Marine Corps League:
George Schmidt
Commander Gary Brink
Tim Parson
Bugler Ray Patterson
Milford Fire Department:
Captain Mike Bello
Lt. Andy Fortuin
Jake Peters
Eric Passaro