First responders honored as 9/11 remembered
Published in the September 13, 2017 edition By DAN TOMASELLO LYNNFIELD — On Monday, over 200 residents gathered on the Town Common to mark the 16th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as well as to pay tribute to the town’s first responders during the second annual First Responders Day. Rotary Club Board of Directors member Jason Kimball, who organized the event once again, served as the master of ceremonies during First Responders Day. He said the event serves as a tribute to first responders. “In the wake of the two hurricanes with the great things first responders have done recently, it’s great we are back here doing this event again,” said Kimball. “It’s also a day to reflect and memorialize the tragedy that occurred on 9/11.” After a moment of silence in honor of the 2,996 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, Kimball thanked the town for funding First Responders Day. “Last year, the Rotary Club put this together and raised a lot of money to pay for the barbecue and DJ services,” said Kimball. “This year, the town of Lynnfield by way of our three selectmen and town administrator were able to come up with funds to support this event that way our kind sponsors can raise money for our Police and Fire departments.” After Kimball thanked the event’s sponsors and the town, Fire Chaplain Rev. Robert Bacon of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church gave the invocation. Fire chief remarks Kimball introduced Fire Chief Mark Tetreault after Rev. Bacon gave the invocation. Tetreault said Sept. 11, 2001 is a “day we will never forget.” “But here we are 16 years later, our memories have begun to fade and we have a new generation who was not even born on 9/11,” said Tetreault. “And the children of the many first responders that responded 9/11 have followed in their parents’ footsteps and are now firefighters and police officers.” Tetreault said, “Unfortunately, the death toll from 9/11 continues to rise as rescuers who worked the days after 9/11 have succumbed to occupational cancers and chronic respiratory problems.” “No firefighter looks at himself as a hero,” said Tetreault. “We accept the inherent risk of the job. When we respond to a fire, no one truly believes this will be their last alarm. September 11 was different. Every firefighter who entered those towers knew there was a very real possibility that this would be their last alarm, and even knowing this, they went up those stairwells anyway.” While Tetreault said America “experienced the worst of humanity” on Sept. 11, 2001, he also said the U.S. “experienced the best.” “We had countless volunteers who put their life on hold to respond to New York City to do what they could, including Lynnfield firefighters,” said Tetreault. Tetreault said the first responders who answered the call on Sept. 11 put aside their differences to come together as Americans. “We have to remember the lessons learned from 9/11,” said Tetreault. “We have to remember the bad things that happened to prevent them from ever happening again, but we also have to remember how we all came together on 9/11. We shared our grief, we helped one another and we all recognized there was something in this world bigger than ourselves.” After Tetreault...
read moreSuspects sought in Brook Dr. home invasion
Published in the September 13, 2017 edition LYNNFIELD — A search is underway for two men suspected of committing a home invasion at 34 Brook Dr. on Friday, Sept. 8. In an interview with the Villager, Police Chief David Breen said the home invasion took place at 1:54 p.m. Breen said the victim was near his car in the home’s driveway when he was approached by two Asian men. He said the two suspects spoke Vietnamese and the victim also spoke Vietnamese. Breen said one of the suspects allegedly brandished a gun at the victim. He said the suspects brought the victim inside and bound his hands inside of the home’s bathroom. “They took money and other items of value,” said Breen. Breen said the victim was able to break free and called police. He said the suspects fled the scene in a brown Honda. “It doesn’t appear to be a random act,” said Breen. Breen said the two men were not apprehended when the Villager went to press on Tuesday morning. He said, “Lynnfield police are working to acquire video evidence of the...
read moreGold Star street signs proposed
Published in the September 13, 2017 edition By DAN TOMASELLO LYNNFIELD — Local officials are looking to create new street signs that will pay tribute to Lynnfield veterans who gave their lives while fighting for the United States. The Board of Selectmen recently discussed a proposal to create signs that would recognize Lynnfield veterans killed in action and have town streets named in their honor. Selectmen Chairman Chris Barrett said Todd Lane resident Louis Trapasso first approached the town about the proposal about a year ago. Barrett noted Todd Lane is named “in honor of two American heroes who gave their lives for Lynnfield in World War II.” “They were brothers,” said Barrett. In an interview with the Villager, Barrett said Trapasso has been making sure American flags are located on the Todd Lane street sign as part of an effort to recognize David and Charles Todd and their heroism. “Mr. Trapasso has been maintaining the street sign by making sure there are American flags on it in order to honor the Todd family and the two brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States,” said Barrett. Barrett said during a recent selectmen’s meeting he “always noticed there were flags on the street sign.” “I thought it was possibly from the town,” said Barrett. “But I learned Mr. Trapasso put those flags there to bring great honor to those individuals.” Veterans Services Agent Bruce Siegel agreed. “Lou has been putting the flags out every year to commemorate those two brothers who passed way during World War II,” said Siegel. Barrett told the Villager Trapasso sent a letter to the town about creating a unique sign to serve as a “permanent remembrance for the Todd brothers.” After learning about the proposal, Barrett suggested creating and erecting Gold Star street signs that would pay tribute to fallen service members. He noted Everett has implemented a similar program. In addition to Todd Lane, Barrett said similar signs would be installed on Townsend Road, Jordan Road and possibly other streets that are named after local heroes killed in combat. “These Gold Star street signs would honor all of these service members who have given their lives for our great country,” said Barrett. Trapasso told the selectmen he has lived on Todd Lane since the Blizzard of 1978, and said the town’s veterans association previously placed the flags on the sign before he started doing it. “It’s become part of my DNA,” said Trapasso. Trapasso noted the Todd brothers died five months apart during World War II. He has been thinking about the proposal for several years. “In other towns like Everett or Winthrop where I grew up, you see markers or plaques on a post by itself or on a street sign indicating those individuals who gave up their lives for the betterment of us,” said Trapasso. Trapasso said he reached out to Siegel to see if “we could put something together.” While conducting research on the project, Trapasso said he and Siegel were able to locate a grandson of one of the Todd brothers. “The family is okay with putting up a marker,” said Trapasso. Trapasso said the sign plan would be a good way to “recognize these Gold Star individuals.” “It will be nice to have it down by...
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