Tuesday marked the 18th anniversary of 9/11, one of our nation’s greatest tragedies. All throughout the City of Boston, commemorations were held to pay respect to the deceased, to help those heal who still grieve, and to provide citizens with the opportunity to remember, reflect, and come together as a community.
At 8:30 a.m., crowds gathered on the steps of the Massachusetts State House were welcomed by Karin Charles, the Family Advisory Chair for the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund. The flag was first raised while the Star Spangled Banner was performed by the Boston Fire Department’s A Capella Quartet, and then lowered in honour of the fallen by the Environmental Police Color Guard. The sounding of Taps preceded a collective Moment of Silence, after which the poem “We Remember Them” was recited. Finally, the Reading of the Names for the family members and friends of 9/11 victims took place while the Bell of Remembrance was solemnly rung.
At 9:30 a.m., the Commemoration Observance & Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery Presentation took place in the Massachusetts State House Chamber of the House Of Representatives, with Speaker Robert DeLeo remarking that the Commemoration Observance has now become: “One of our Rites of Fall, a sense of anticipation mixed with sadness and duty.”
Teresa Mathai, head coordinator of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, emceed the event featuring musical performances, a video tribute, a keynote by former New England Patriot Joe Andruzzi, and the bestowing of the award by Lt. Governor Karen Polito and Anna Sweeney, daughter of the late Amy Sweeney.
At 6 p.m., Our Lady of Good Voyage on 51 Seaport Boulevard held a 9/11 Service Of Remembrance, officiated by Fr Matt Wescott, Chaplain of the 25th Marine Regiment. A candlelit procession followed to the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial. Taps was sounded before Dan Magoon, combat veteran and Executive Director of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, delivered a closing speech.
