Veterans Service Officer Terry Stader is surrounded by the Honor Guard at the 9/11 Memorial Service. Photo by Joyce Pellino Crane
About 30 residents attended a ceremony Sept. 11 marking the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in which almost 3,000 died when two airliners crashed into the World Trade Center, another hit the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a fourth crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Westford lost two residents that day: Susan McKay, 44, who worked for TJX Company, and James Hayden, 47, chief financial officer for Netegrity, Inc. McKay was on American Airlines Flight 11 and Hayden was on United Airlines Flight 175.
Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Monat recited the “Firefighter’s Prayer,” and a member each from the Fire and Police Departments placed wreaths at the podium.
In attendance at the ceremony was state Rep. James Arciero, a Westford Democrat.
“We will never forget those who sacrificed their own lives to save those in peril. The first responders, the police, the firefighters. Those brave men and women who led our rescue efforts during these tragic events…” he said. “In this unbelievable tragedy the best in the American people were demonstrated. Today, 15 years later, millions of people around the world continue to stand united with us.”
Selectman Andrea Peraner Sweet reiterated Arciero’s sentiment.
“On that day we were one nation united,” she said. “The spirit of 9/11 is love, compassion and sacrifice.”
WestfordCAT’s Patty Stocker was on hand to record the ceremony.
