Sept 17 911 Ceremonies at Luzerne County Community College

It was a Saturday. The cool brisk morning of the 17^th was the first fall like day of the late summer of 2011. The high puffy clouds against the blue sky made for a nearly perfect day and the day ahead of me that was about to unfold would be one to be remembered.

It was about 9:15am.  I parked in the lot B of Luzerne County Community College in anticipation of a day of reflection. As I approached the fire apparatus in place along the Prospect Street entrance of the campus, Nanticoke and Hanover Township were ready. Their long extension ladders would support a great American flag to honor the fallen of 9/11, 2001. The Nanticoke high school Marching Band was staged only a few yards from memorial and played patriotic music befitting for the occasion.

The ceremony was postponed a week due to Hurricane Lee's devastating flooding of much of the surrounding communities. But now, everyone was prepared. Dr.Karen Flannery of Luzerne County Community College hosted the event as Master of Ceremonies.  Speakers included Dr. Thomas Leary President Luzerne County Community College, Rev. Fr. Adam Sexton St. John's Russian Church Nanticoke Orthodox and member of Engine 4 Nanticoke Fire Department, Representative Gerald Mullery - 109^th Legislative District and Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban. The National Anthem was sung by Student Susan Porter Allen.

The day honored the fallen of September 11, 2001. A piece of steel from the World Trade Center was placed at the Memorial Site adjacent to the new Fire Science Technology Training Center and the mother of fallen Firefighter Michael Scott Carlo NYFD placed a wreath in front of the Memorial.  Michael Scott Carlo perished at The World Trade Center’s Towers in 2001.

Commissioner Steve Urban spoke eloquently of the wife of a former Military colleague Colonial Oscar White. Colonial Whites wife Sandra worked as a budget analyst at the pentagon and perished as the result of acts of terror on 9/11.

Student Susan Porter Allen, in honor of a nephew who was injured in Afghanistan, a triple amputee, performed a song that she wrote.

Rev. Fr. Adam Sexton gave a closing benediction, the ceremony concluded and guests were invited for cake and refreshments at the adjacent Fire Science Center.