Local 9/11 Memorial Honors Those Killed In Terrorist Attacks 

By Andrew Gorosko

About 75 people gathered on a cool, clear Tuesday, September 11, morning in Dodgingtown Center to honor the memory of the approximately 3,000 people who died 11 years ago on September 11, 2001, in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, at the Pentagon in Virginia, and in a field at Shanksville, Penn.

The solemn memorial service was conducted in the front yard of Howard Lasher and Jeanette Hubley Lasher on Dodgingtown Road, where after the 9/11 attacks, muralist David Merrill painted the image of a US flag across the breadth of six clustered maple tree trunks, as a memorial to those who died in the attacks.

The weather on Tuesday was similar to the weather on the day of the attacks. The memorial took place at the time of day when the terrorists flew a high jacked airliner into the first of the two World Trade Center towers to be hit.

Mr Lasher made introductory remarks. He is a former Wall Street trader. Several of his friends and colleagues were killed in the 9/11 attacks.

Mr Lasher said, in part, “No memorial will ever fill the void left by their [victims] loss.”

“We continue to pay tribute to the men, women, and children who were lost, by gathering once again in front of this American flag memorial,” he said.

“The true legacy of 9/11 which exists today is that the spirit of America is mightier, and that the bonds which unite us are stronger than ever before…The courage, determination and sacrifices of police officers, firefighters, first responders, and our men and women in the Armed Forces throughout the world has never wavered and is absolutely outstanding,” Mr Lasher said.

“The past 11 years tell a story of sincere resilience and extreme courage in spite of the terrorist attacks and show that America does not, has not, and will not give in to fear,” he said.

“Let us never forget the human cost paid by this generation, especially those who have served in the military since September 11, 2001, so that we can live in a democracy and be able to pursue religious freedom without fear,” he added.

Mr Lasher has held annual 9/11 memorial services at his property since the terrorist attacks.

The honor guard of American Legion Post #100 of Bethel stood by at the memorial, with member Tom Peters playing Taps.

Sixteen members of the Newtown High School Choir offered several songs.

In his invocation, Rabbi Shaul Praver of Congregation Adath Israel said, in part, “We are obligated to protect the memory of those who are no longer with us.” The rabbi offered a prayer in their memory.

First Selectman Pat Llodra said that the 9/11 attacks were acts of anger. “Will we ever find a path to mutual acceptance and tolerance?” she asked.

Learning from the awful experience of 9/11, people working together can learn to become better people, to move away from violence and intolerance, she said.

Mr Merrill, the muralist, said that all people present at the memorial service likely remember where they were when they got word of the 9/11 attacks.

The events at the World Trade Center seemed to be like those in a science fiction movie, he said. It was hard to believe that the collisions of two airplanes could knock down such massive skyscrapers, he said.

After the attacks, Mr Merrill said that he received a call from Mr Lasher asking that he memorialize the event.

Mr Merrill said that when he toured the Lasher property, he realized that the six clustered maple tree trunks were the appropriate place to paint the flag mural.

Of the October 2001 painting project, he said, “It was the most emotional painting I’ve done in my life…This to me is hallowed ground…It’s so emotional being here,” Mr Merrill said.

Also speaking at the memorial was Chris Kukk, an associate professor of political science at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

Monsignor Robert E. Weiss, the pastor of St Rose of Lima Church, gave the benediction. In that prayer, Msgr Weiss asked that the Lord help people to understand the tragedy of 9/11.  

Also at the memorial, Julie Ketchum sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Dolores Lussier sang “Ave Maria.” Both women sang without accompaniment.