Want to attend a 9/11 memorial event? Several Cape Cod towns make preparations
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BARNSTABLE — On Sunday, two retired flight attendants will carry a flag from the Barnstable Fire Station to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church as part of a ceremony and day of remembrance of the 9/11 attacks.
Donna Bartlett and Jana Stein, both of the Cape, knew people who died on that day, said Judy Walden Scarafile, coordinator of the 9/11 event for St. Mary’s.
“We always refer to firefighters and police as first responders but on 9/11 the flight crews were first responders,” Scarafile said.
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This is the 14th year the Barnstable Fire Department and St. Mary's Episcopal Church have partnered to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“It’s a great partnership,” Scarafile said. “We really put together something very meaningful for the community and it’s very poignant.”
This year will be a bit different with the church’s Sunday service incorporated into the day’s events, Scarafile said.
The event will begin with a traditional ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Barnstable Fire Department, where state Rep. Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster, will speak and soloist Marc Howard will perform.
A bagpipe procession, led by Dave Knauer, will begin at 9:35 a.m. with the Barnstable Police Honor Guard. It will proceed up Main Street to St. Mary’s Church.
“We generally have about 50 in the procession,” said Scarafile, describing how members of the public join into the line. “It’s all these people who fall in from the sidewalk. It’s a very solemn procession.”
At the church at 9:50 a.m., parishioners will welcome the procession on the front lawn. The Barnstable Police Honor Guard will present colors. “God Bless America” will be played.
Everyone will be welcomed into the church at 10 a.m. for the morning prayer and a day of remembrance, Scarafile said. Author Thomas Flynn, who published a book, “Bikeman,” about his own experiences on 9/11, will speak.
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Now a part-time Harwich resident, Flynn was working as a reporter for "CBS Evening News with Dan Rather" on that day 20 years ago. A plane flew over his apartment and he heard it hit the tower. He suspected an attack because of the first terrorist attack on the towers on Feb. 26, 1993.
“Tom Flynn, this man is incredible,” Scarafile said. “What he lived through is a miracle. He was in his apartment in Manhattan, jumped on his bicycle and rode to the World Trade Towers before they fell and got caught up in it. He witnessed it all and almost died.”
Flynn will attend a reception at 11 a.m. in the church gardens where he will sign copies of his book, an event coordinated with Titcomb’s Book Shop.
“I was on Cape Cod (on 9/11) watching in horror on TV,” Scarafile said. “I was a trained responder for the Red Cross and I wanted to go there but we found out very quickly unfortunately there wasn’t a need.
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“(Commemorating 9/11) was always important to me because it was so significant in changing the world and changing America. To me it’s the most important day of the year and if we can’t do something to recognize this day, there’s something wrong.”
Other 9/11 ceremonies on Cape
Here are other events commemorating the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Sunday, Sept. 11
BREWSTER — The Brewster Fire Department will be hosting its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the fire headquarters, at 4 p.m. at 1671 Main St.
The service honors first responders, civilian victims, and their family members who were impacted by the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York City, Washington D.C, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Musical arrangements will be provided by bugler Jeff Mills, the Highland Light Bagpipe Band, and Sherley Ann-Belleus.
CHATHAM — The Chatham Fire Rescue Department will hold a ceremony to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor the memory of all who lost their lives that day at 9 a.m. in front of the Chatham Fire Station, Depot Road. Local government officials will join the fire and police departments to look back on and reflect on the events of that day. For further information contact Chatham Fire Chief Dave DePasquale at 508-945-2324.
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EASTHAM — The Eastham Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department will hold its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at 9:55 a.m. in front of the fire station, 2520 State Highway, Eastham.
The community is welcome to attend this memorial ceremony remembering those who died on 9/11 and after. All are asked to arrive early and park at the Town Hall. The Fire Department uniform of the day will be Red Shirts.
The Windmill Weekend Parade will follow at noon.
FALMOUTH — The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department will hold a 9/11 memorial ceremony at 9:45 a.m. in the Memorial Circle at the Fire Rescue Headquarters, 399 Main St. Fire Chief Timothy R. Smith will speak followed by a lowering of the flag and a moment of silence.
HYANNIS — The Hyannis Fire Department will hold a short 9/11 ceremony at 9:45 a.m. at the Hyannis Firefighters Memorial adjacent to the station at 95 High School Road Ext.
PROVINCETOWN — The Provincetown Fire Department will hold its 9/11 ceremony at 8 a.m. at the fire station at 25 Shank Painter Road.
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SANDWICH — The Sandwich Fire Department will hold a brief 9/11 ceremony at 9 a.m. at the station No. 3, 251 Cotuit Road.
TRURO — The Truro Fire Department will hold its 9/11 ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Public Safety Building, 344 Route 6.
WEST YARMOUTH — The town's 9/11 memorial ceremony will be at 9:45 a.m. at Fire Station 3, 520 Buck Island Road. West Yarmouth. Yarmouth Police Deputy Chief Kevin Lennon encourages the public to visit the 9/11 Memorial at the Police Department, 340 Higgins Crowell Road, West Yarmouth to reflect, and honor those killed on 9/11.
Monday, Sept. 12
WEST BARNSTABLE — The West Barnstable Fire Department and Cape Cod Community College are collaborating with this year’s 9/11 ceremony. It will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12, at 2240 Iyannough Road.
Staff writer Donna Whitehead can be reached by email at dwhitehead@tauntongazette.com.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod towns prepare to remember 9/11
