Brockton Remembers 9-11

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—More than 250 residents, Brockton officials, Girl Scouts, Brockton Police Honor Guard, military veterans and Brockton Fire Department Pipes and Drums gathered for a solemn remembrance of the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Sept. 11, 2001.
Officials, including Mayor Linda Balzotti, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, Police Chief William Conlon and Fire Chief Richard Francis recalled moments from 10 years ago when they first heard about the attacks and its aftermath.
Parent Amy Dwyer, wife of Brockton firefighter Roger Dwyer, attended with the couple’s 1-year-old son Noel, who like dozens of other children who participated in the commemoration, was not born when the attacks came on 9-11. (Pictured at top)
“I felt profound sadness,” Amy Dwyer said, remembering when she watched on T.V. as the Twin Towers collapsed knowing so many people—first responders and innocent people--were not going to survive the devastation.
“It’s still a sad time, but people have to remember what happened,” she said.
Another parent Ellen Deppner remembered the pit in her stomach when she learned of the attacks.
“I felt fear. I didn’t feel safe,” Deppner said.
Her 10-year-old daughter Kaitlyn, who joined dozens of Brockton Girl Scouts who carried a banner listing the names of the victims, was a newborn and her 4-year-old son Kamryn Fletcher,who shared a sad moment with his Mom (pictured above) during Brockton Pipes and Drums playing of “Amazing Grace.”
“Hearing the bagpipes got to me,” Deppner said.
For more comment and speeches, please view video below.