Westfield Observes Anniversary of Sept. 11

A solemn early evening ceremony on Friday marked the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and remembered the 13 Westfield residents who died.

The crowd gathered huddled under umbrellas as a cold rain fell at the intersection of East Broad Street and North Avenue. The scene was vastly different from the warm, sunny September day eight years ago where no clouds could be seen. Mayor Andy Skibitsky explained that while it was raining, town officials wanted to try to hold the ceremony at the memorial instead of in the community room at the municipal building.

Skibitsky delivered brief remarks where he talked about the impact the attacks had on the town and the loss of life. The mayor was followed by Rev. Edward Holmes Carll, pastor of the First United Methodist Church; Msgr. William Harms, pastor of St. Helen's Church and Rabbi Doug Sagal from Temple Emanu El, who offered prayers for the evening.

The bell at the Methodist Church tolled for each of the victims at the beginning of the ceremony. Each of the memorial pillars in the park had a basket of flowers with an American flag. An honor guard from Westfield's public safety agencies laid a wreath at the main monument, followed by the playing of taps. Following the ceremony, many in the crowd braved the increasing rain to stay in the park quietly remembering the victims.