Public Memorial Service

Commemorates A Private Grief

By Nancy K. Crevier

Sunday, September 11, 2011, dawned as clear as the fateful day ten years earlier when terrorists stole the innocence from America and her people with attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the thwarted attempt at destroying the nation’s capitol that ended in a jet liner crash in Pennsylvania. The early morning sun peeked through the grove of six maple trees on Howard and Jeannette Lasher’s property just off of Route 302 on the Bethel border, trees that ten years ago blended in with the forest, but since then have stood out as a living memorial to nine of Mr Lasher’s Wall Street colleagues who perished on 9/11, and the nearly 3,000 other victims of that attack. Red and white stripes and a blue star spangled field have transformed the trees, commissioned by Mr Lasher and painted to represent the American flag by area artist David Merrill over a course of several days in October 2001.

Surrounding the memorial Sunday morning, at 8:15 am, was an audience of nearly 100 people, gathered to pay respects to the emergency workers, plane passengers, and other victims of the 9/11 attacks. They were joined by members of the local clergy, veterans, soldiers, members of Boy Scout Troop 270, and local and state officials in a solemn ceremony that reflected the journey every American has taken over the past decade.

In opening remarks, Mr Lasher reminded those present that the purpose of the ceremony was “to remember those lost in the tragic events of 9/11 … acts that forever changed our world.” In spite of the passage of time, Mr Lasher continued, no words or amount of tears “will return our loved ones to us. What this American flag memorial can do,” he said, indicating the grove of maple trees, “is to provide [to those who lost loved ones] a solemn place in which to reflect and move on, each in their own way.” It is a reminder of the resiliency of the American spirit that cannot be broken, Mr Lasher said.

“I am humbled by this memorial,” said Rabbi Shaul Praver of Adath Israel, who added that our country was “mangled and assaulted but not defeated” by the terrorist attacks. “May this event transform us,” said Rabbi Praver, “those that can wrestle and overcome.”

Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra offered a brief reflection on the anniversary of the 9/11 event, as well as words of encouragement.

“Let us go forward into the future with a renewed sense of purpose,” directed Ms Llodra.

“Hope is the thing with feathers, That perches in the soul, And sings the tune — without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard…” read memorial tree artist David Merrill, quoting from the poem by Emily Dickinson, remarking on the creation of the memorial.

While 911 is a number familiar to all emergency workers, said Lieutenant George Sinko of the Newtown Police Department, there are other numbers from the 9/11 tragedy that should not be forgotten: “2,997 victims; 246 passengers on planes; 343 firefighters; eight paramedics; six Port Authority officers. We should honor those people and not forget the sacrifices made,” said Lt Sinko.

State Representative Chris Murphy attended the Sunday morning ceremony, and offered his thanks to Mr Lasher for his efforts to memorialize those lost and to bring people together, noting the impressive turnout by the Newtown community. The tragic hours of 9/11/01 reminded the nation’s citizens of the innovative model of freedoms invented by our forefathers over 200 years ago, said Rep Murphy, and “reminded us that there are those who hate us for this [the model of freedom]. On 9/11, we learned to appreciate more and more what we have built. This country has only changed in that we recognize what our Founding Fathers realized.”

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Joseph Lieberman were not able to attend the early morning ceremony at Mr Lasher’s, but sent their regrets and words of condolence via letters, from which Mr Lasher read, his voice cracking at times with emotions barely held in check.

Senator Blumenthal expressed “gratitude to Americans everywhere who answered the call of duty, and thanks to all who make America the greatest nation on earth. Never forget the fallen,” he urged.

From Senator Lieberman came the note that “Tributes, such as this one, provide a meaningful way to keep the memories of loved ones alive.”

Musical selections were offered by Newtown High School students Taylor Varga (“The Star Spangled Banner”) and Victoria Madden (“America the Beautiful”), as well as by Newtown soprano Dolores Lussier, who sang “Ave Maria.”

Paying tribute to Mr Lasher’s colleagues, after his heartfelt reading of the poem “We Remember Them” by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Reimer, nine veterans, soldiers, and emergency workers, one by one, placed a single red rose in a glass vase at the foot of the maple grove. In respect for the others who died that day, 7-year-old Steven Johnston, the grandson of Korean War veteran Kenneth Post, placed a white rose in the vase, before stepping back and saluting smartly.

Mr Post, representing the other members of the Veterans of the Korean War, then presented Mr Lasher with a certificate of appreciation and screen print flag of the maple tree memorial, in gratitude for the commissioned piece that has evoked so many deep feelings for those who have had the opportunity to view it close up, as well as for the thousands who drive by on Route 302 and see the flag “waving” from one tree trunk to the next at the property’s edge.

A rifle salute and the playing of “Taps” signaled the ending moments of the memorial service.

“Our hearts are deeply saddened as we recall events,” said Father Luke Suarez of St Rose Church in his benediction, “but our hearts swell with pride.” He invited all who were present to offer words of gratitude to service people and emergency workers at the Sunday ceremony, closing with the reading of a letter from Pope Benedict XVI.

Refreshments served following the ceremony were donated by Pat O’Neill of O’Neill’s in Bethel.

To view more photos, see the slide show that accompanies this story under the Features tab at www.NewtownBee.com.