Losses, heroism of 9/11 remembered in Toronto

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL — Members of the Toronto fire and police departments and TEMS Joint Ambulance District were among many who lighted candles in memory of the many lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 at a service held Wednesday at Toronto’s Gazebo Commons. — Warren Scott

TORONTO — Both the tragedies and the heroism following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 were remembered at a service marking the 23rd anniversary of that infamous day Wednesday at Toronto’s Gazebo Commons.

Bill Scheel, the city’s fire chief, noted it was a bright, sunny morning, not unlike Wednesday, when many people went about their usual business, unaware that 19 terrorists would hijack four airliners.

Scheel noted the hijackers piloted American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, killing all on board and resulting in the skyscrapers’ collapse and the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.

He added the terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, killing 64 on board and 125 in the complex.

Scheel noted United Airlines Flight 93 failed to reach a target, thanks to a group of passengers who attempted to wrest control from its hijackers. The plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa., killing the 43 on board, but the passengers’ efforts likely saved many others, he said.

LIVES REMEMBERED — From left, Toronto Police Chief Charley Daniels, Robert Gaffney, a paramedic with the TEMS Joint Ambulance District; and Toronto Fire Chief Bill Scheel rang a bell multiple times for the many lives lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 at a service held Wednesday at the city’s Gazebo Commons. — Warren Scott

Scheel noted the loss of life also extended to the many emergency responders who descended upon the remains of the World Trade Center to help.

The more than 400 first responders who died while doing so included the 15 firefighters who comprised the entire shift of New York City’s Ladder Company 4 of Battalion 9, he noted.

Scheel said 75 of the city’s fire stations lost members that day.

Tom Anderson, the city’s recreation director and a former Air Force firefighter, shared a recording of an activated Personal Alert Safety System, or PASS, device worn by firefighters.

He noted it’s designed to emit a sound when its wearer is no longer moving, to aid in searches for fallen firefighters.

Anderson said following the collapse of the towers, multiple PASS devices could be heard within the rubble.

He recalled being stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, when he and other airmen saw the World Trade Center attacks on television.

Among them was Santino DiGregorio, a fellow Air Force firefighter who had family members serving in New York City fire departments, said Anderson.

He noted that following his discharge, DiGregorio returned to his home in the Bronx to continue serving as a firefighter there.

Toronto Police Chief Charley Daniels told of John Perry, a New York City police officer who had filed his retirement papers that day but rushed to Ground Zero to help and was one of 72 officers from federal, state and local agencies who were killed at the scene.

Daniels noted Perry was posthumously awarded the New York Police Department’s Medal of Honor.

Scheel said, “It takes a special person to wear the badge and respond to calls, knowing they may not return.”

Many attending the program applauded local police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who were present for their service.

Scheel, Daniels and Robert Gaffney, a paramedic with the TEMS Joint Ambulance District, were recruited to cite the number of deaths among civilians and emergency personnel at each site and ring a bell for each group.

Mark Prichard, pastor of North River Crossroads Church, offered opening and closing prayers while also noting the strong sense of unity displayed by Americans following the attacks.

“I believe that can only happen again if we all seek God,” he said, adding, “God’s love shines through all darkness and through him, we are blessed with America’s freedoms.”

Also participating in the candlelight vigil were Mayor John Parker, who served as master of ceremonies; the Toronto American Legion firing squad, who delivered a shotgun salute to the dead; and Rich Coburn, who performed patriotic music.