Memorial ceremony helps residents remember
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Approximately 70 people gathered in front of the Caribou Fire Department on Saturday to mourn those who were killed nine years ago when terrorists attacked the United States and to remember how so many exemplified selfless heroism by forfeiting their lives in pursuance of helping their fellow man.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Standing in honor of the flag as the air was filled with the solemn sound of Taps during the 9-11 Memorial Ceremony on Saturday morning were, from left, firefighters Lance Longley, Darren Pelletier, Jesse Belanger, Matt Doody, Chief Roy Woods, Michael DiVito, Jared Willey and Justin LaPlante.
During the moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. — marking nine years to a minute when the first plane struck the first tower — the reverent group became the embodiment of a single affirmation: “We will never forget.”
Since 2002, members of the Caribou Fire Department and the Caribou Police Department have honored and remembered their fallen brethren.
“We do this because on Sept. 11, 2001 we lost 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers, and they died trying to rescue other people that they didn’t know because it was their job,” Caribou Fire Department Chief Roy Woods said.
“As long as I am Chief, we will continue to do this on Sept. 11 forever,” he added.
Congressman Mike Michaud joined Chief Woods in offering words to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the nation’s tragedy.
“It was a horrible day in our nation’s history. But we came together as a country to push forward. It was tough, but we kept going and we took steps to prevent future attacks from happening,” the congressman said. “We strengthened our homeland security. We increased efforts to combat terrorism domestically and abroad. And we came together in the spirit of community to remain vigilant and to vow that we will never forget.
“As we look back, we remember the thousands of innocent Americans who lost their lives that day. We honor the heroic service and actions of the first responders, law enforcement personnel, volunteers, and others who made the ultimate sacrifice to aid victims that day,” Congressman Michaud added. “We continue to pray for the service members and others that continue to this day to put our country and the wellbeing of others before themselves.”
While almost everyone can remember where they were the morning of the 9/11 attacks, a new generation is emerging that lacks those memories and the corresponding emotions those memories evoke. Joseph Belanger, 12, of Caribou may have been too young to understand the events as they transpired nine years ago, but he certainly understood what was being honored that morning at the Caribou Fire Department.
“It means that there are a lot of heroes,” he said.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
At 17 months old, Serenity LaPlante of Caribou, left, is already learning to never forget those whose lives were taken on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attacks on the U.S. and the bravery exemplified through many men and women who forfeit their lives helping and protecting their fellow man. Color guards of the Caribou Fire Department Lance Longley, Darren Pelletier, Jesse Belanger, Matt Doody, Chief Roy Woods, Michael DiVito, Jared Willey and Justin LaPlante, not pictured, saluted the flag as the air was filled with the solemn sound of Taps during the memorial ceremony on Saturday morning, during which Angela Stevens, Serenity’s mother, demonstrated to her daughter that Sept. 11 is a day of remembrance. Right, fire fighter gear rested in empty chairs in honor of those who died in service.
