thedrifter
09-12-08, 07:56 AM
09/12/2008
A pause to remember
By: Brian Bingaman
TOWAMENCIN — Two fighter planes, likely from Willow Grove, provided an appropriate but unplanned flyover minutes before North Montco Technical Career Center's Protective Services Appreciation Day on Thursday.
At 9 a.m., North Montco's student body took a break from morning classes to stand with representatives from 10 police departments, five fire departments and two branches of the Armed Forces in front of the school's Sept. 11 Memorial Garden, which faces Sumneytown Pike.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Whitney Houston's rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" played.
Even during the uncomfortable silence during a momentary audio glitch in the National Anthem, three servicemen from the Marines and Army National Guard and the uniformed police officers, most of them wearing black ribbons across their badges in tribute to fallen policemen, remained in steadfast salute.
"September 11 is a day that we, as Americans, witnessed one of the greatest tragedies of all times," said Vincent Lehmann, North Montco's special projects coordinator.
Lehmann reflected on the timing of the establishment of a protective services track of study at North Montco 10 years ago, three years before Sept. 11. Protective services students receive preparation for careers in emergency services.
Addressing the more than 40 emergency and military personnel, Lehmann said that Sept. 11 raised national awareness of "the importance of people such as yourselves."
He then asked for a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and those who have died in the line of military service, mentioning 2006 North Penn graduate and Marine Lance Cpl. Travis Stottlemyer by name.
Suzette McHugh, North Mont
co's industry partnership coordinator, explained the multi-layered symbolism of the S Memorial Garden that was created in 2003.
Surrounded by tall pine trees, the mulch bed of the garden is in the shape of a pentagon with two dawn redwoods representing the twin towers of the World Trade Center. The native wildflowers and grasses symbolize the field in Shanksville. The poignant centerpiece is a metal sculpture made by 2003 graduate Jon Garnett as his senior project.
"The two tallest buildings represent the World Trade Center towers and are made of mild steel. In several years, the towers will rust away, leaving a void, or a hole, where the towers once were," said McHugh.
Each special guest was announced and presented with a red or white carnation by North Montco students Holly Genetti and Noelle VanBuskirk, both juniors at Souderton Area High School. Their length of service was also announced, along with their "point of pride." The most common points of pride were helping others or serving the community.
As students were dismissed to the strains of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," the police, fire, EMS and military guests added to the memorial floral tribute placed to the right of the World Trade Center sculpture by placing their carnations in the sculpture.
Many of them stayed for a breakfast prepared by the school's culinary students.
"It's always nice. The kids do a really nice job. It's nice of them to remember seven years after 9/11. They keep the memory alive," said Franconia Police Chief Joseph Kozeniewski.
Hatfield Police Chief Mark Toomey appreciated the participation of the school's various trade education programs.
"It's a great tribute because the kids are so energetic — not only with the criminal justice program, but the other programs they have implemented," he said.
While Lt. Mark Houghtaling of the Montgomery Township Police appreciated the coming together of fire, police, EMS and military for the occasion, he felt that the seventh annual Protective Services Appreciation Day could have spent more time honoring "the people that gave their lives that day ... the people in the aircraft that perished."
Don Ament of the Colmar Fire Company sat down to breakfast with seven of his fellow volunteers.
"Seven years, it's been a long time," he said of the 9/11 anniversary. "Unfortunately, it's stuff like Sept. 11 that brings us closer together."
"A band of brothers," added fellow firefighter Josh Snelling.
Photo Gallery
http://www.thereporteronline.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2275&pag=1006&newsid=20118277
Ellie
A pause to remember
By: Brian Bingaman
TOWAMENCIN — Two fighter planes, likely from Willow Grove, provided an appropriate but unplanned flyover minutes before North Montco Technical Career Center's Protective Services Appreciation Day on Thursday.
At 9 a.m., North Montco's student body took a break from morning classes to stand with representatives from 10 police departments, five fire departments and two branches of the Armed Forces in front of the school's Sept. 11 Memorial Garden, which faces Sumneytown Pike.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Whitney Houston's rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" played.
Even during the uncomfortable silence during a momentary audio glitch in the National Anthem, three servicemen from the Marines and Army National Guard and the uniformed police officers, most of them wearing black ribbons across their badges in tribute to fallen policemen, remained in steadfast salute.
"September 11 is a day that we, as Americans, witnessed one of the greatest tragedies of all times," said Vincent Lehmann, North Montco's special projects coordinator.
Lehmann reflected on the timing of the establishment of a protective services track of study at North Montco 10 years ago, three years before Sept. 11. Protective services students receive preparation for careers in emergency services.
Addressing the more than 40 emergency and military personnel, Lehmann said that Sept. 11 raised national awareness of "the importance of people such as yourselves."
He then asked for a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and those who have died in the line of military service, mentioning 2006 North Penn graduate and Marine Lance Cpl. Travis Stottlemyer by name.
Suzette McHugh, North Mont
co's industry partnership coordinator, explained the multi-layered symbolism of the S Memorial Garden that was created in 2003.
Surrounded by tall pine trees, the mulch bed of the garden is in the shape of a pentagon with two dawn redwoods representing the twin towers of the World Trade Center. The native wildflowers and grasses symbolize the field in Shanksville. The poignant centerpiece is a metal sculpture made by 2003 graduate Jon Garnett as his senior project.
"The two tallest buildings represent the World Trade Center towers and are made of mild steel. In several years, the towers will rust away, leaving a void, or a hole, where the towers once were," said McHugh.
Each special guest was announced and presented with a red or white carnation by North Montco students Holly Genetti and Noelle VanBuskirk, both juniors at Souderton Area High School. Their length of service was also announced, along with their "point of pride." The most common points of pride were helping others or serving the community.
As students were dismissed to the strains of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," the police, fire, EMS and military guests added to the memorial floral tribute placed to the right of the World Trade Center sculpture by placing their carnations in the sculpture.
Many of them stayed for a breakfast prepared by the school's culinary students.
"It's always nice. The kids do a really nice job. It's nice of them to remember seven years after 9/11. They keep the memory alive," said Franconia Police Chief Joseph Kozeniewski.
Hatfield Police Chief Mark Toomey appreciated the participation of the school's various trade education programs.
"It's a great tribute because the kids are so energetic — not only with the criminal justice program, but the other programs they have implemented," he said.
While Lt. Mark Houghtaling of the Montgomery Township Police appreciated the coming together of fire, police, EMS and military for the occasion, he felt that the seventh annual Protective Services Appreciation Day could have spent more time honoring "the people that gave their lives that day ... the people in the aircraft that perished."
Don Ament of the Colmar Fire Company sat down to breakfast with seven of his fellow volunteers.
"Seven years, it's been a long time," he said of the 9/11 anniversary. "Unfortunately, it's stuff like Sept. 11 that brings us closer together."
"A band of brothers," added fellow firefighter Josh Snelling.
Photo Gallery
http://www.thereporteronline.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2275&pag=1006&newsid=20118277
Ellie