Fuller Marks
10th Anniversary of Attacks
By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
9/15/11
A well-attended, patriotic but somber 9/11 remembrance service was held at Fuller Village on Sept. 9, as residents gathered to pay tribute to those who died during the terrorist attacks 10 years ago.

A warm sun peaked through clouds during the morning service that was organized by Fuller resident Nancy Kearns, and featured the dedication of a newly planted Rose of Sharon bush next to the Thomas J. Flatley Tennis Center.

The ceremony began with a few welcoming words by Fuller Village Executive Director Deborah Felton, followed by the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance by all in attendance. The crowd joined in as the Fuller Village Chorus, directed by Harriet Rossen, sang “America the Beautiful.”

Also in attendance were three members of the Fire Department who listened as six Fuller Village residents who are widows of firefighters spoke.

Anna Donoghue read the poem “New York City Firefighters,” which ended with the words:

“As the building came down, we feared you would too.

But God gave you wings and instead you flew.”

Carol Jameson shared the poem “Heroes Never Die,” and Ethel Hayes read “The Firefighter’s Prayer.” The last stanza reads, “And if according to your will/I have to lose my life/Bless with your protecting hand/My children and my wife.”

Clara Martinelli read a poem by James J. Metcalfe titled “My Sympathy.” Mary McLaughlin read the poem “Dear God,” and Blossom Glassman read the poem “We Remember You,” which ends with the words:

“The spirit and memory of each of you lives on in the hearts of every American as we say … Never Again.”

Glassman then added statistics from the attack: “2,606 lost their lives in the New York Twin Towers; 125 at The Pentagon; 90 on American Airlines Flight 11 (Tower 1); 60 on United Flight 175 (Tower 2); 59 on United Flight 93 (Shanksville, Pa.); 40 on American Airlines Flight 77 (The Pentagon). 2,980 lost their lives that day.”

The ceremony closed with Milton High School student Ian Kelly, under the direction of Gary Good, playing “Taps” on his trumpet.