By Jason Klaiber

Staff Writer

The date Sept. 11, 2001, is one many will never forget and to commemorate the 18th anniversary of that tragic day, the Town of DeWitt sponsored a memorial service, remembering those who gave and lost their lives.

With DeWitt Police Chief John Anton serving as the master of ceremonies, the commemoration at the DeWitt Town Hall on Butternut Drive in East Syracuse started with the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” led by vocalist Meghan Mawhinney.

Kenneth Andrews, the chief of civil administration at the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, then led those in attendance in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

Deacon David Schiltz of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, who served in the United States Air Force from 1979 to 1999, said an invocation at the ceremony.

“This day does not pass on the calendar without our remembering,” Schiltz said. “We remember words our ears were never meant to hear—the tender last words of husbands and wives who would never embrace again. We remember the heroism of the many that lost their lives in saving others.”

Schiltz ended the invocation by praying for world peace.

DeWitt Town Supervisor Ed Michalenko, whose brother-in-law died on 9/11, said the anniversary remains “painful” for those who lost family members or friends either in the attacks that day or from related injuries and illnesses in the ensuing years.   

“The loss of nearly 3,000 lives and hundreds in the aftermath all seemed so senseless,” Michalenko said.

Michalenko said in remembrance of those who risked their lives in service to others on 9/11, people should appreciate community members that help and serve others on a day-to-day basis, including farmers, educators, security personnel and first responders.

Assemblymember Pamela Hunter, who served in the United States Army, said first responders and members of the military forces have taken oaths “without hesitation,” some sacrificing their lives walking through smoke, ash and fire to save people in danger.

“While their names and memories will not be forgotten, we should also not forget with courage and confidence and purpose the important, meaningful oath each has taken,” Hunter said.

Sgt. Mark Adams of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade read a poem given to him in the early 1990s by Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez, a Vietnam War veteran who received the Medal of Honor.

The poem centered around what Benavidez considered a diminishing respect for the American flag through the decades.

Sonia Kragh, a United States Air Force veteran and retired internist, said the nation has been continuously at war or at risk of war since she started active duty in late 1990.  

She recalled her experiences on the day of Sept. 11, 2001.

“I was working three days a week as an internist. That day I was off, sitting at my dinette table, getting ready to call my girlfriend to wish her a happy birthday,” Kragh said. “My husband called and told me to turn on the TV.”

She said every patient of hers and fellow staff member in the months that followed wanted to talk about 9/11 and ways to get past or embrace emotions of sadness, anger, fear and helplessness.

“The sense of community outreach and interaction was overwhelming,” Kragh said.

After hanging up her stethoscope earlier this year, Kragh said she intends to continue healing the planet through the efforts of the Syracuse Rose Society and environmental organization the Sierra Club, the latter of which is working with the Town of DeWitt to move the town and the Central New York region altogether toward a goal of 100% renewable energy.    

Town Councilor Jack Dooling, who co-chairs DeWitt’s 9/11 Committee with his wife Pam, thanked the attendees and asked for veterans present to stand up or raise their hands.

Dooling also acknowledged the work of Syracuse’s Suburban Garden Club in maintaining the town’s memorial garden as well as donations from businesses including Mineo Wholesale, Wegmans and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Members of American Legion Post 359, local police departments and local fire departments were also present for the memorial service.  

The event featured the posting of the colors by the 174th Based Air Force Honor Guard, a wreath presentation by Elaine Lostumbo and Joe Chiarenza, “Taps” played by Dan Andrianos, a rifle salute by the DeWitt Police Honor Guard, renditions of “The Rowan Tree” and “Amazing Grace” by bagpiper Jack Heines and closing remarks from Onondaga County Sheriff Eugene Conway.

“The spirit of our freedom, the courage, the bravery and selfless acts of humanity will forever stay ingrained, certainly in our hearts and hopefully in our minds,” Conway said.

The service ended with Mawhinney singing “America the Beautiful.”