Patch Blog: Tears in Tribute

A deep sorrow fell on my heart upon waking Sunday morning as I remembered the details of September 11, 2001. I turned on the television hoping to hear a flash mob singing Amazing Grace in response to Mayor Bloomberg not inviting a member of the clergy to the service. Mind you, I'm not particularly religious but prayer is certainly appropriate at such an event regardless of one's faith. Apparently, the flash mob did not sing but the President read Psalm 46.

After watching excerpts from various memorials on television it was time to attend Monrovia's own.

I couldn't have been more proud of living in Monrovia than I was on Sunday, September 11, 2011. My son and I attended that was held at our firehouse on Lemon Avenue. In a brief 45 minute ceremony at , the events were relayed to a gathering of maybe 200 people. Unlike New York City, the clergy was present and involved.

In our very own small town, a service as touching as any I witnessed on television took place. The dedication of the beautiful statue and plaque gifted to our Fire Dept. by the Hoffman family added a special quality to the ceremony.

I milled around the crowd inside the Fire House for a little while then went with the Police Chief's wife to look at the statue up close. Fire Chief Donovan was standing near it watching us as we walked up. It was as if the grief of all the lost souls hit me at once when I looked at the fireman with an angel on his shoulder. As beautifully created as a Remington, I thought. Meeting our Fire Chief for the very first time, I wanted to thank him for what a wonderful job our local heroes do. However, the tears hit me. Tears that flowed as I walked the couple of blocks home and wondered how many tears would be flowing in New York today.

While America is in turmoil with war, joblessness and racial difficulties, people across the country shared the same tears on September 11, 2011. It is my hope for our country to share the memories and the unity we shared ten years ago and release the turmoil.