By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
A concern that many first responders and others have is that we’re moving into a generation that has no remembrance of 9/11.
There’s no one to blame, but as years go by, more and more children won’t recall watching the event’s unfold simply because they were not born yet.
A total of 2,977 innocent people died in the attacks on that day, which included those in New York at the World Trade Center buildings, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania where a plane crashed that had been hijacked by some of the 19 terrorists, who also all died.
A total of 343 firefighters, 71 police officers and 55 military personnel were among those killed in the attacks.
In Orion, a youth-driven emphasis on retaining a connection to September 1, 2001 seemed to be a theme at Friday’s ceremony honoring the 14th anniversary of those lost in the terrorist attacks. Children and adolescents gathered with their parents at Orion’s War Memorial to remember.
A group of area first responders? children helped introduce the ceremony by singing the pledge of allegiance led by long time Orion resident and educator Kathy McMinn. That group of children also helped end the ceremony with renditions of God Bless America and America the Beautiful.
Assistant fire chief John Pender helped organize the gathering of the children choir and he also had his children participate in singing. Pender only held one, quick practice the day before but he was impressed with not only the children’s ability to retain the song but also the amount of people that came out to support them.
‘It’s so important that we involve our youth with events like this because I feel it gives them a sense of pride in the community and their police and fire departments,? he said. ‘Especially with everything going on with first responders, it’s so imperative we show the teamwork between police and fire.?
Leah Warren, daughter of Oakland Circuit Judge Michael Warren, spoke as representative of the younger generation. Leah is now a high school junior but was only two years-old when 9/11 occurred.
Along with her father, she was instrumental in establishing Patriot Week, a week-long recognition of first responders and military personnel. Warren spoke to the importance of her peers to always keep in mind the dangers that first responders go through and to remember those who died on that day.
One of the biggest moments during the ceremony was listening to a first-hand account at Ground Zero from an Orion man who went there after the disaster.
Long time Orion firefighter Art Schrah traveled to New York to help investigate the site.
Schrah, who’s also been with Oakland County Sheriff’s Department since 1988, was selected to go as part of a special unit to aid in the investigation.
Schrah works full-time as a fire investigator and, given his experience in both fields of police and fire, he was top candidate to go.
In his speech Schrah recalled the area as being heroically surreal. He spoke of seeing firefighters who haven’t slept in days still working to find survivors and emergency crews resorting to bucket brigades to clear out debris.
?9/11 is always a tough day. It’s satisfying to have helped but it’s always very sad with all the things you saw and were exposed to,? Schrah said. ‘At first we were told there was no asbestos in the World Trade Center and that changed so we had to be tested and had wear respirators.?
He conveyed one such detail that made a silent crowd even quieter, especially the firefighters.
According Schrah, whenever a firefighter or police officer was found, all work would stop. A line of firefighters would stand shoulder to shoulder spanning from where they found him to an awaiting ambulance. Once the body was placed onto a backboard, the line of firefighters would help move him down to an ambulance, allowing everyone to touch their fallen comrade and say goodbye.
Schrah’s presence and rhetoric gave the strongest connection to 9/11 the ceremony has had in 14 years. Fire Chief Robert Smith approached Schrah and asked him to provide his perspective.
‘We had some of the greatest speakers. Leah Warren was phenomenal and spoke to the young people and reminded them that they must not let patriotism fade away,? Smith said ‘Art Schrah speaking of his time at Ground Zero. People come up to me and say they never knew of some of the things he brought up and mentioned.?
Smith was impressed with the outpouring of support. He hopes to makes next year’s ceremony one to remember.
‘This community believes in patriotism and as long as there are men and women that continue to support these gatherings then this community will stand strong,? he said. ‘Next year being the 15th Anniversary, I am hoping the fire department has one of the biggest programs to date. This’beautiful venue and great support of the people in the community should play well for a great program.?