The events of Sept. 11, 2001, have become part of the cultural lexicon of America. But a solemn annual tradition held each year at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge is a way to take a step back, and remember not just the significance of the event, but the individuals impacted by it.
The “Remember to Remember” event begins each Sept. 11, at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the Twin Towers in New York City, with a recording reading the names of all the people in the towers, the many who were aboard the airplanes, the first responders who came to the scene and were killed there, as well as those killed in the simultaneous attack at the U.S. Pentagon.
Over the years, said organizer James Pelletier, the event has grown and changed. When the event was held in 2002, the recording only read the names of those killed in the tower attacks, but in years since, the list has become more complete. In more recent years, there have been additions – the names of other domestic terrorist attacks, including the Boston Marathon bombing and the Pulse nightclub shooting.
“It’s a very personal thing. This is a very people-centered memorial,” said Pelletier. “It’s a quiet, reflective experience.”
The reading of all the names takes approximately three hours, and Pelletier said people are encouraged to come at any point, or leave at any point, or walk the grounds of the Cathedral of the Pines as the names are read over the speaker. It’s not how or how much you participate, only that the event honors the people who died, he said.
“9-11 has evolved into this iconic phrase, like ‘Pearl Harbor’ or ‘Hiroshima’ or ‘D-Day.’ These big historical moments,” Pelletier said. “The idea of the reading is to keep it on a personal level, and to remind people that these were flesh and blood people.”
Pelletier volunteered at Ground Zero following the attacks, and said that although he did not personally know any of the victims, he did know people who had lost family members in the attack.
“It is a highly personal thing,” he said.
To that end, visitors can look through photographs of the victims, which have been compiled over the years and added to the memorial service.
This year, the memorial is also adding two wooden flags, donated by Flags of Valor, representing the “Thin Blue Line” and “Thin Red Line” honoring police and firefighters. The flags, each hand-crafted by Specialist E4 T.J. Pruitt of the United States Army, and inscribed with a plaque reading “Dedicated to honor and remember the many men and women who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and to the courageous and valiant heroes who made the supreme sacrifice. We will never forget.”
The memorial will begin at 8:45 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge. This is a rain or shine event. Masks are required. The Cathedral is a spacious environment and can accommodate social distancing.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.