On the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, itโs clear that the people of Schuylkill County never forget. For the people of Palo Alto, itโs hard to forget when you lose one of your own.
More than 100 people gathered on Bacon St. in Palo Alto Saturday morning to remember that day 20 years ago and a native of the tiny borough, Michael Ferugio, who died in the attack on the World Trade Center in New York.
Schuylkill County Honors 20th Anniversary of September 11th Terrorist Attacks
Schuylkill County Sheriff Joe Groody was among those who spoke to the more than 100 people who attended a 9/11 memorial ceremony in Palo Alto marking the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, which claimed the life of native Michael Ferugio.
Palo Alto held a ceremony at its war memorial in the middle of town, where thereโs also a plaque honoring the sacrifice Ferugio made. Saturday, it was decorated with a red, white, and blue wreath, a tiny American flag and a red rose.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence for Ferugio and the thousands of other victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC, and Shanksville.
A re-enactment of the emergency dispatch calls commemorating those moments was played. Doves were released and a ceremonial fire bell was rung 4 times to mark those fateful moments. A medley of patriotic songs was performed by a local church group and Amazing Grace wailed through bagpipes.
It was impossible not to notice, for those old enough to remember that day, how the weather was almost the exact same Saturday as it was on that Tuesday morning 20 years ago.
Itโs also hard to wrap your head around the fact that there are adults walking around today that werenโt even born on the day we remembered on Saturday.
Mobile Photos: Coal Region Canary
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