Roxborough, Veterans Remember 9/11 in Gorgas

A picture-perfect Saturday culminated with an equally stunning sunset. As 21st Ward Veterans President Bruce Hoffman noted, the beautiful late summer day was reminiscent of Sept. 11, 2001—a monumental day in American history, which the Roxborough community remembered in a twilight vigil in Gorgas Park.

"9/11—even though it was only nine years ago—many people tend to forget about it and don't realize how much we've done since then," Hoffman said before a crowd of residents, local politicians, clergyman, veterans, police and firefighters.

In 2001, the 21st Ward Veterans held a vigil in September at which Hoffman said thousands attended. Nine years later, the crowds died down a bit, but an impressive assortment of community members took the time to honor and reflect on the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and hijacked United Airlines flight 93.

Hoffman oversaw the ceremonies, which featured remarks from Democratic State Representative Kathy Manderino, prayers from Jack Kennedy of the Church of the Living Saviour and Church of St. Alban's pastor Rev. Kyle Tomlin, and patriotic hymns led by John Barkley.

In his remarks, Hoffman recalled working for Amtrack's command center in Wilmington, Del., as the towers fell, saying, "It was like out of a movie." He praised Philadelphia's finest in attendance and described how New York and Washington, D.C. emergency responders selflessly rushed into burning buildings that day.

"As a Vietnam veteran, I'd liked to think I'd help, but I don't know if I'd be brave enough to rush into a building as it's about collapse," Hoffman said.

Prior to the vigil, Hoffman called up two uniformed military members to light candles for the police and fire. The female military members, one who held her son, received a round of applause from the audience.

Since the attacks in 2001, some conspiracy theorist have raised issues with the terrorist origins or the science behind the airplanes or building structure. One audience member held a sign that read, "Steel buildings don't fall at near free fall speed."

Manderino, who represents Roxborough and Manayunk in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is a Roxborough a resident, hailed the freedom Americans posses and reminded the audience how lucky each of us is.

"We are certainly the land of the brave, but among all others, we are the land of the free," she said.

With darkness creeping over the park, candlelight shone through and lit lyric sheets for audience members as they sang "America the Beautiful" and "America" to close the evening.