'We could have been part of 9/11': Ceremony notes how close attacks were to Hagerstown
A piece of mangled steel.
A fire truck that happened to be small enough that it could play a pivotal role in extinguishing a fire at the Pentagon.
They helped tell a horrifying part of U.S. history Tuesday night at Hagerstown City Park — the story of a day when nearly 3,000 people were killed in terrorist attacks 21 years ago.
It was carried out Sept. 11, 2001, when four commercial airlines were hijacked, two striking the World Trade Center towers in New York City and a third hitting the Pentagon near Washington, D.C.
Authorities believe the fourth plane was targeting the U.S. Capitol when 40 passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93 thwarted the plan before it crashed near Shanksville, Pa.
Every year, local firefighters, police, elected officials, the public and other first responders gather at what is known as the Emergency Service Tribute Garden in City Park to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks.
Emergency personnel were also killed or injured in the attacks, which has resulted in a heightened appreciation of the work of first responders.
A piece of the World Trade Center
Tom Brown, emergency manager for the Washington County Emergency Management Office, called the crowd's attention to a bent piece of steel beam in the park. It came from one of the World Trade Center towers after the attack and was added to the park 11 years ago.
Then he noted a fire truck parked next to the crowd.
The ladder truck from the Woodsboro (Md.) Fire Department was small enough that it was the only fire rig that could enter a tunnel to the Pentagon to fight the fire there following the attacks, Brown said.
The vehicle is now owned by former Hagerstown Fire Chief W. Kyd Dieterich, who was at the ceremony.
Flight 93 headed toward Washington County
Kingsley Poole, a retired batallion chief from the Hagerstown Fire Department, gave the dozens attending something else to ponder.
Flight 93's trajectory was intended to cross Washington County, he said.
"If it would have gone another eight minutes, it would have been over Washington County. We could have been part of 9/11," Kingsley said.
Hagerstown Mayor Emily Keller noted how her 14-year-old daughter was born after the attacks. Keller said it's important that documentaries and other stories about the attacks be told so younger generations will realize the impact it had on the U.S.
Washington County Commissioners President Jeff Cline called on the public to think about the county's first responders and a "miracle" they performed hours before he was speaking, likely saving the life of a county resident. It happens all the time, he said.
Barbara Ingram School for the Arts music students offered patriotic songs and a bell was tolled in memory of police officers, firefighters, military members and correctional officers with ties to Washington County who have been killed in the line of duty.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown remembers 9/11 terrorist attacks at City Park
