The Color Guard from V.F.W. Post 1371 proceeds from central fire station on North Avenue in Owego, N.Y. to the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square on Sept. 11, 2015 for a ceremony that remembered those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
On Sept. 11, 2015, a ceremony to remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 took place starting at 8:46 a.m. at the Fireman’s Statue Baker Memorial Fountain, Main Street, near the Gazebo and on the north lawn of the Tioga County Courthouse in Owego, N.Y.
Owego Fire Police Lieutenant and 9-11 Ceremony Coordinator John Hitchings extended an invitation to all to “Honor Our Brothers and Sisters.”
The ceremony started with a walk from the Owego Central Fire Station to the Fireman’s Statue.Those walking met at the Central Fire Station across from John’s Fine Foods from 8 a.m. to 8:25 a.m. Color Guards of Honor led the walk starting at 8:30 a.m. on North Avenue and Main Street.
New York State Police Officer Jeremiah Allen served as the bagpiper for Friday’s remembrance ceremony in Owego, and is followed by first responders and community members during the walk from Owego’s central fire station to the Baker Memorial Fountain on Sept. 11.
Owego Fire Department (OFD) Chief Dan Gavin stated that the remembrance ceremony was held to honor 343 firefighters, eight EMTs, 61 police officers and 2,581 civilians.
Tioga County responded to 9-11 with EMTs, firefighters and police officers to fill spots left by their fellow emergency service teams, firemen and police officers.
New York State Police Trooper Jeremiah Allen played the bagpipes, a traditional part of solemn firefighter events. The Glenn A. Warner Post 1371, Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard, lowered the flags.
First responders and guests gather at the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11 for a remembrance ceremony.
Speaker Rev. Thomas A. Valenti, parochial administrator of St. Patrick’s and Blessed Trinity Parishes, offered appropriate personal reflections. On 9-11, Father Valenti was the Chaplain at Columbia University, nine miles north of the World Trade Center.
The remembrance ceremony included the Lighting of Candles for the seven who in past years gave their lives for the safety of Owego citizens to include Owego Police Department Officer Isaac Wiltsie and F. Allen Hall; and Owego Fire Department members Ray Wiltse, Winifred Knap Sr., Richard Beck, Steven Gavin and Matthew Porcari.
The Tolling of the Bell Ceremony signaled the “last alarm” for the fallen first responders.
Other program events, with Master of Ceremonies Jim Raftis, included the National Anthem sung by Andrea McBride, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Benediction by OFD Chaplain George Hall.
For photos below, click on photo, and then click again for full photo. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
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- Community residents display their patriotism during a remembrance ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square in Owego, N.Y.
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- From left, Jim Raftis, Korean War Veteran, served as Master of Ceremonies for a remembrance ceremony at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11. Raftis acknowledged young Owego residents Carter George and Grayden Stanton, both Owego Elementary School students, who, along with seven other young people, helped clean the Baker Memorial Fountain on Sunday, Sept. 6.
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- From left, Owego Fire Department Chaplain, George Hall, and Father Thomas Valenti of St. Patrick’s and Blessed Trinity Parishes, participate in the remembrance ceremony at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11.
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- First responders and guests gather at the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square in Owego, N.Y. on Friday, Sept. 11 for a remembrance ceremony.
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- Jim Raftis, Korean War Veteran, served as Master of Ceremonies for a remembrance ceremony at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11, that remembered those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 and also remembered Owego Police and Fire Department members who gave their lives for the safety of Owego citizens.
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- First responders and guests gather at the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square in Owego, N.Y. on Friday, Sept. 11 for a remembrance ceremony.
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- Andrea McBride delivers the National Anthem at a remembrance ceremony held Friday, Sept. 11 at the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square in Owego, N.Y.
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- A first responder and young guests pay respects during the singing of the National Anthem on Friday, Sept. 11 at a remembrance ceremony at the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square in Owego, N.Y.
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- Father Thomas Valenti of St. Patrick’s and Blessed Trinity Parishes offers personal reflections at the remembrance ceremony at the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11. On Sept. 11, 2001, Father Valenti was the Chaplain at Columbia University, nine miles north of the World Trade Center.
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- Owego Fire Police Lieutenant and Ceremony Coordinator John Hitchings participates in the Tolling of the Bell portion of the ceremony, which signals the “last alarm” for fallen first responders.
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- New York State Police Officer Jeremiah Allen plays the bagpipes during the remembrance ceremony at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11.
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- Owego Fire Department Chaplain George Hall salutes during the remembrance ceremony held at the Baker Memorial Fountain at Courthouse Square in Owego, N.Y. on Friday, Sept. 11.
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- From left, Brian Sternberg plays Taps during the remembrance ceremony held at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11, and is joined by bagpiper Jeremiah Allen.
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- First responders and guests gather at the Baker Memorial Fountain at Courthouse Square in Owego, N.Y. on Friday, Sept. 11 for a remembrance ceremony.
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- Color Guard members from V.F.W. Post 1371 participate at the remembrance ceremony held at the Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11.
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- From left, Grayden Stanton, Mayor Kevin Millar and Carter George, pose after the remembrance ceremony held at the Courthouse Square on Friday, Sept. 11. Grayden and Carter, along with seven other young Owego residents, helped clean the fountain on Sunday, Sept. 6.
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- The Baker Memorial Fountain at the Courthouse Square in Owego, N.Y. served as the gathering place for the community at a remembrance ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 11.
