Young and Old Honor Anniversary in Roxborough

Hundreds of candles lit the area surrounding the war memorial at  Sunday during a prayer vigil to remember the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.

"It doesn't seem like 10 years ago because I can close my eyes and see everything that happened that day," Bruce Hoffman, of the 21st Ward Veterans Association said. "It was like a horror movie but it was happening in reality."

Hundreds of community members came out to pray, sing and remember the day. Representatives from local churches led group prayer and state representatives, Boy Scout leaders and youth reflected on where they were that day a decade ago and how it affected them. 

Although he was only 12 on Sept. 11, the events spurred John Wynne, an Eagle Scout with Troop 334, to action. For his Eagle Scout project several years after the attacks, he decided to raise money to install five new flagpoles in the area surrounding the war memorial in park. 

"After the attacks I had such a sense of pride in how much freedom this country gives us," Wynne wrote in a letter because he is now in college. "I wanted the project to show the community that we are still united as a whole."

And Wynne isn't alone, Fury Colbriale, also an Eagle Scout with Troop 334 began collecting old, damaged American Flags for his project. His, goal, his father read in a letter, was 1,500 but his son has collected and retired more than 27,000 flags.

"This project is not mine anymore, it is the community's," the Eagle Scout wrote. "Because of one horrible day in September, so many young people have learned to cherish and respect the flag."

But other young people weren't so sure the message was getting through.

"A lot of my friends don't think it is a big deal, but it is," 15-year-old Chayse Rosciolo, the current Miss Pennsylvania Elite Jr. Teen said.

Rosciolo was only in kindergarten a decade ago and say although she doesn't remember the day she can remember how she has changed in the decade following the attacks.

State Rep. Pam DeLissio, D-194, says she remembers feeling that the "unique and special" aspects of this country were threatened that day. 

"Our freedoms were attacked," she said, adding that major changes begin with one person. "It starts with us, all of our actions should reflect our freedoms."

Although Hoffman said the sense of unity immediately following the attacks has dwindled, it is still alive in the Roxborough-Manayunk area.

"You want to see unity," he asked as hundreds of candles were lit. "Look around you."