25 years later, Cranberry Twp. carries on its 9/11 memorial tradition
CRANBERRY TWP — Every year, the township’s Volunteer Fire Company holds a remembrance ceremony for the lives lost during the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Volunteers and residents get together at the fire station to pay respects to the civilians killed and the first responders who put themselves in danger to meet the threat.
The tradition has continued 25 years after the terrorist attacks. Throughout Friday morning, John Pristas, the department’s former assistant chief, played taps outside the station six times on a trumpet, one time for each attack during the tragedy. A large American flag was hung from a ladder truck, where it will remain until sunset.
“Today, it was really about remembering the folks — not just the firefighters, but civilians that were lost,” said Bruce Hezlep, township supervisor.
Hezlep acknowledged the significance of the Sept. 11 memorial in front of the station, next to which Pristas played taps.
The display is a 900-pound steel beam the fire company acquired and set up in 2012. The memorial cost between $50,000 and $60,000 and garnered donations from the township and several community businesses.
The steel beam sits on stone replicas of the twin towers, which is on top of a stone that depicts a map of what the area around the towers looked like. A nearby stone includes a timeline of what happened the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.
Some in the community stop by the memorial to reflect, even on days other than Sept. 11, Hezlep said.
Pristas said he hopes that people in attendance at the ceremony know they can visit the memorial anytime.
“We want to be reverent and reflective,” said Hezlep.
“We want to make sure that people don't forget,” said Pristas.
