Sep. 11—NANTICOKE — Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak began his remarks at Thursday’s 9/11 ceremony by quoting President George W. Bush.
“As the smoke rose to the heavens and the embers still burned, President George W. Bush reflected on the national tragedy of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, and spoke these words with conviction and resolution,” Yudichak said. “‘We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember.'”
For 24 years, the Luzerne County Community College family has gathered at LCCC’s “Walk of Honor” to host one of the nation’s longest-running memorials to our first responders and to the families of those who lost loved ones on that tragic September day in 2001.
LCCC again honored the lives lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and paid tribute to first responders at its “24th Annual September 11th Remembrance Ceremony and Brick Dedication,” held Thursday morning at the college’s Walk of Honor at the Public Safety Training Institute.
The solemn ceremony featured a processional by bagpiper Christine Palmer, a flag ceremony by representatives of the Nanticoke Fire Department, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by LCCC student representatives from Emergency Medical Services.
The event also included the presentation of a memorial wreath, a final alarm tribute, and a benediction delivered by Father Brian Van Fossen of St. Faustina Parish.
President Yudichak delivered remarks, emphasizing the enduring importance of remembrance.
“To our first responders and to the families who support them — at Luzerne County Community College, we will always remember, and we shall never forget.”
Yudichak reflected on the origins of the Walk of Honor, dedicated to fallen New York City firefighter Michael Carlo, who lost his life on Sept. 11.
“Thanks to the love and generosity of a grieving mother, Phyllis Carlo, who lost her son NYC Firefighter Michael Carlo at the World Trade Center on 9/11, Luzerne County Community College was able to build this beautiful Walk of Honor as a tribute to the heroism of firefighter Michael Carlo and to every first responder who laces up their boots to serve and protect our communities,” Yudichak said.
The ceremony also featured remarks from John Lombardo, Firefighter/EMT Chair of Luzerne County Council, and Tyler J. Suiters, United States Navy Master-at-Arms First Class Petty Officer, Retired.
President Yudichak noted that moments of national crisis underscore the strength of unity.
“As John Lombardo can assure you, when our communities are threatened, when America is under attack, the divisions among us quickly fade away and we grow strongly united as one community and one nation in defense of the lives and liberties of our family and neighbors,” Yudichak said.
The Walk of Honor, established in 2002, stands as a lasting tribute to first responders and their families, and continues to serve as a hallowed place of remembrance for the community.
Luzerne County Council Chair John Lombardo said he has been a first responder for his entire adult life.
“In the fire service, we often joke around about ‘the big one,'” Lombardo said. “Sept. 11 was not just ‘the big one’ — it was the biggest job in the history of the fire service. Firefighters, police officers and medics — we don’t do this job for the money. We do it because we love to help people.”
Lombardo said all first responders want to make a difference in the world, and not every call is like 9/11.
“Some days, we may not even leave the station,” he said. “Some days, we might help grandma who can’t get off the couch, or rescue that proverbial cat from a tree. But every once in a while, every so often, we do get a call — one that makes us nervous. One that makes us think: ‘Will I come home from this.’ The big one.
“God bless the victims. God bless their families. God bless the survivors. And God Bless America.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.