Town honors first responders, remembers 9/11

Published in the September 19, 2018 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Two hundred residents came together on the Common to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and honor first responders during the Rotary Club’s third annual First Responders Day.

Rotary Club member Jason Kimball served as the master of ceremonies for the event once again.

“Today is both a happy day and a sad day as we celebrate our great first responders in Lynnfield and also remember and memorialize the tragedy of 9/11,” said Kimball. “With Facebook these days, you really get to relive that terrible day with the planes and videos and at the same time, you get hear about great stories of heroism of police, fire and EMTs.”

Rev. Paul Ritt of St. Maria Goretti gave the invocation at the ceremony.

“We are here to remember, honor and thank all of those men and women, past and present, who serve, protect and guide others to safety,” said Rev. Ritt. “We ask (God) in your kindness and providential care to watch over all our first responders and keep them safe.”

Fire chief remarks

Kimball introduced Fire Chief Mark Tetreault after Rev. Ritt gave the invocation. Tetreault thanked Kimball and the Rotary Club for “starting this wonderful event.”

Tetreault said it’s important to remember “all of the first responders who made the supreme sacrifice in service to humanity on Sept. 11.”

“This is a day none of us will ever forget,” said Tetreault. “Unfortunately, the death toll continues to rise as more first responders die of occupational cancer. Being a first responder is about self sacrifice and preparation.”

Tetreault recalled an event called “Black Sunday,” which took place on Jan. 23, 2005 in New York City.

“Six firefighters were trapped on the fourth floor of a building in The Bronx,” said Tetreault. “They were faced with the terrible decision of either perish in the fire or jump from the building. All six firefighters chose the latter.”

Tetreault said New York City firefighters Joe DiBernardo and Jeff Cool had “one escape rope between the two of them.”

“They discussed who was going to use the rope,” recalled Tetreault. “Firefighter DiBernardo insisted Jeff take the rope and use it because he had a family. Jeff was lowered and lost grip of the rope and fell, but he did survive the fall. Joe used the rope afterwards. The rope unfortunately broke and he fell three stories. Joe did survive his injuries initially, but he succumbed to his injuries in 2011 after a long rehab and stay in the hospital.”

Tetreault said DiBernardo’s father is a retired FDNY chief who started a foundation, the Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation, in his son’s memory.

“The purpose of the foundation is to provide safety gear to firefighters,” said Tetreault. “In 2011, the Lynnfield Fire Department received a grant from the Joseph P. DiBernardo Foundation in excess of $20,000. This was enough money to equip each one of our firefighters with a bail out kit, and train every one of our firefighters with how to use it. I would like to thank the Joseph P. DiBernardo Foundation for their generous gift and promoting the safety of our firefighters.”

After Tetreault concluded his remarks, Kimball presented the fire chief with a $2,000 check from the Rotary Club and the event’s sponsors along with an additional $250 check from The Savings Bank.

Police chief remarks

Police Chief David Breen thanked Kimball and the Rotary Club for hosting the third annual First Responders Day. He thanked all of the event’s sponsors and said the increase in sponsorship is “fantastic.”

Breen recalled coming home and turning on the TV after working an overnight shift as a Lynnfield patrolman on Sept. 11.

“I remember the news came on and cut away to New York City,” said Breen. “As I was watching the first tower smolder, I saw the second plane fly into the second tower. I never went to bed that day. I remember making calls to friends and family, and being in total disbelief.”

Breen watched YouTube videos of the 9/11 attacks on the 17th anniversary.

“It’s just as unreal watching it today,” said Breen. “It’s unimaginable that some people could come up with a plot to harm others. It was extremely difficult for all of those first responders, both in New York City and Washington, to render first aid and assist those who were injured. Unfortunately, there were first responders who lost their lives as well. The world changed that day. No question about it.”

Breen said the Sept. 11 attacks changed the way police officers are trained. He noted the Police Department has worked closely to help local churches including St. Maria Goretti and Our Lady of the Assumption Church revamp their security plans.

“Father Ritt, it’s commendable what you have done to protect the people in your parish,” said Breen.

Breen also noted the Police Department is working closely with the School Department to implement security initiatives. He noted both hardware and software have been installed at the schools, and training has been ongoing.

“We have done a lot of training with the teachers, the staff and the students,” said Breen. “We haven’t held back. We have really tested the students and allowed them to participate in some of these exercises, and the children have responded with excellent questions and have gone home and discussed it with their parents. It’s amazing to see how resilient and intelligent our kids are in town.”

Breen noted that, “One of the tenets of 9/11 was ‘Never forget.’”

“All of us being here today and the great show of support for first responders shows me that we have not forgotten,” said Breen.

After Breen concluded his remarks, Kimball presented the police chief with a $2,000 check on behalf of the Rotary Club as well as a $250 check from The Savings Bank.

Dalton remarks

Selectmen Chairman Dick Dalton served as the keynote speaker for First Responders Day.

“Thank you for joining us as we pause to remember the victims of 9/11 and show our appreciation to the town’s first responders,” said Dalton.

Dalton said Lynnfieldians, like all Americans, will “never forget the victims” of the Sept. 11 attacks.

“On that day, we witnessed the very worst of mankind,” said Dalton. “But we also witnessed the very best of mankind: The heroism and selflessness of so many. In the days that followed that horrific tragedy, a spirit of unity and resilience emerged like none of us have ever seen.”

Dalton noted “Lynnfield was not spared from the tragedy of 9/11.”

“We would come to find out that two of our own, Ace Bailey and Sean Lynch, were victims of the terrorist attack,” said Dalton. “On this solemn day of remembrance, our thoughts and prayers are with Sean Lynch’s family, and Ace’s wife Kathy and son Todd.”

Dalton said First Responders Day is an opportunity to “demonstrate our support and gratitude for all that our first responders do for us.”

“The invaluable services that they provide to Lynnfield and their dedication to their mission deserve and demand the grateful respect and recognition from this entire community,” said Dalton. “The professionalism and compassion they display while carrying out their duties are inspiring. These men and women make us a better community because they are there to protect and serve. Thank you for your service.”

In addition to thanking local police officers and firefighters, Dalton thanked the town’s substance abuse coalition, A Healthy Lynnfield, for the work it has undertaken.

“A Healthy Lynnfield is doing some great work in town,” said Dalton.

Dalton thanked Kimball and the Rotary Club for hosting the event.

“It’s one example of what Lynnfield Rotary does in a course of a year here in Lynnfield and in far away places where there are people desperate for the basic necessities of life,” said Dalton. “I would like to thank Jason Kimball, who took an idea a few years ago and turned it into a reality. He is the driving force behind this event.”

Sponsors thanked

After Dalton concluded his remarks, Rev. Ritt gave the benediction and attendees were treated to a free barbecue.

Kimball also thanked the sponsors and the town for supporting the third annual First Responders Day.

“We have a tremendous amount of sponsorships,” said Kimball. “It’s great to financially support our police officers and firefighters, and I am extremely thankful for our many sponsors. We are up almost 50 percent. I would like to thank the Board of Selectmen, particularly Chairman Dick Dalton, for helping facilitate the sponsorships. This is now catered and paid for by the town, which is similar to our Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. This will be an annual town event so we remember 9/11.”