Large crowd gathers at Caribou Fire Station in tribute to lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001
By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
In memory of the events that changed history and Americans lives forever, members of the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department held a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Sunday, full-filling a promise that the 343 New York firefighters and 60 policemen who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, would never be forgotten.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods, left, and Police Chief Michael Gahagan stand firm, reminding everyone that the events of September 11, 2001 will not be forgotten.
The number of those making a point to attend this brief but emotional ceremony has grown over the years and Fire Chief Roy Woods commented he was very happy to see a significant increase this year. In his remarks, Chief Woods reminded everyone of the promise to the remember 343 firefighters and other first responders who died as a result of trying to help others during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “Today we are reminded of the day the world watched in disbelief. For many this event is over and forgotten — we lost a lot of brother and sister firefighters and citizens on 9/11 — we will never forget what happened. As first responders we have to be ready to go — it’s what we do.” As if to reinforce this statement, ambulance personnel were alerted to attend to an individual who was attending the ceremony.
Members of the CFD Color Guard stood bearing the colors and flags, firefighters and local law enforcement officers stood in salute, as at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center in New York City, the chilling sound of an emergency siren filled the clear fall morning air. As the wailing cry seemed to echo over the city, veterans, citizens and first responders quietly and emotionally reflected on the events that unfolded 10 years ago.
As if in recognition of the solemn ceremony and the uncertainty of everyday life, a flock of geese lifted from their fall residence on Collins’ Pond, rising up over the police station and municipal building, flying in their V formation but noticeably much more quietly than usual, as if assuring that in some way, we will go forward in life.
“When the Civil Defense horn sounded,” stated Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan, “to me it was bone-chilling. I literally felt the hair on the back of my neck rise. I’m glad to see a such a good turnout for this ceremony, but I feel bad these are the things, the timelines we remember, things like Pearl Harbor, JFK’s assassination and now 9/11,” he added.
In his remarks, Andre Dumais, military veteran and member of the Lister/Knowlton VFW, offered his thanks to all the first responders and spoke of the need to make sure future generation never lose sight of what happened 10 years ago on Sept. 11.
Lifetime VFW member and past commander of the Lister/Knowlton VFW Post Peter Miesburger spoke during the ceremony stressing the importance to never forget the 9/11 events of 2001; to remember those who died/the families left behind and to not forget the military men and women serving in Afghanistan and other occupied countries at this time.
Following the placement of flowers in front of three wreaths, representing deceased firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel, Tami Susi, the wife of Caribou firefighter Scott Susi, presented “Taps,” very stoically holding each note, while struggling against her own emotions and tears.