Breaking News
Local News

A night to remember

9/11 ceremony draws crowd to Jaffa

By William Kibler 4 min read

When then-Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense James O'Bryon led an informal prayer session in the Pentagon three days after it was hit by a terrorist plane on Sept. 11, 2001, he told still-shaken Pentagon employees that the separation of church and state would be suspended for the day.

The spirit of that suspension prevailed Saturday at the Jaffa Shrine for Altoona's 20th anniversary commemoration of the 9/11 attacks in an event that mixed equal doses of religion and patriotism for a mostly middle-aged crowd of about 2,500.

On the religious side, keynote speaker O'Bryon spoke of participating in Bible study two hours before the attacks, the Rev. Gary Dull discoursed on faith as the cornerstone of our democracy, Rabbi Audrey Korotkin gave the opening prayer, Bishop Mark Bartchak gave the closing prayer and in between, a vocalist sang "A Few Good Men," a bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" and a vocalist rendered "Ave Maria" and "I'll Walk with God."

On the patriotic side, there were recognitions of the area's Gold Star families and first responders, a presentation of colors, the Altoona Youth Orchestra and vocalists performing "The Star Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," along with modern works like "Let Freedom Ring," "Soul of Liberty" and "The Penny."

"Observe and remember," prayed Korotkin, noting that the traditional instructions related to the two Shabbat candles Jewish families light each week are appropriate also to our commemoration of the attacks.

"Speak up for truth and knowledge and wisdom," Korotkin said. "(Let us) build a strong and just America."

"A lot of people's memories (of the attacks) are getting thin," said attendee Terry Figart of Altoona, explaining why coming to such events as Saturday's is important in keeping those memories alive.

However, judging the merits of America's response to the attacks is "tough," Figart said.

The nation was correct in going after the people who perpetrated the attacks, Figart said.

But the "interference" in other nations has been questionable, especially with Iraq, he said.

He also wonders about impingements on freedoms in the U.S., including the tracking of money in bank accounts, he said.

"Any time you have a crisis like that, people take the opportunity to infringe on our freedoms," he said.

There's a balance between safety and fear, and the U.S. response has tilted a bit too far toward caution, he said.

Jo Woolridge of Duncansville attended largely because her husband Sheldon was carrying the Marine flag in the color guard.

She remembers her shock on 9/11 at "war in our streets," something she imagined would never happen.

The U.S. response was justified, she said.

"Otherwise, that action (the terror attacks) would have been repeated," she said. "We had to become more defensive -- to rise above it."

Many people in the U.S. turned to God "that dreadful day" 20 years ago, Dull said in his sermon. "So as to receive his peace and strength."

The actions of passengers on the one hijacked plane that didn't find its target, but instead went down in a field in Shanksville, represent classic "agape" love -- love that expects nothing in return, O'Bryon said in his keynote speech.

"They voted to give their lives so others can live," O'Bryon said. "Consider that in your own heart and life."

"We see the ripples of that tragic day continue to impact our world," Bartchak stated in his closing prayer. "We wonder if there ever will be an end to violence, war, hatred and death."

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.

Starting at /week.