Veterans and church leaders reflect on American perseverance after 9/11

GREENE TOWNSHIP - The morning of Sept. 11, 2001 was a morning like many other late summer, early fall days in New York: sunny, mild and full of promise. 

It was much like Sunday in Franklin County, the Rev. Bill Harter reminded attendees that day at this year's 9/11 Memorial Service at the historic Letterkenny Chapel. 

Yet that Tuesday 16 years ago turned into a day of infamy when terrorists flew two commercial  jumbo jets into New York City's Twin Towers, another into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a fourth -- probably headed for Washington's Capitol building or White House -  into an empty field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after its passengers tried to overcome the hijackers.

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Nineteen terrorists associated with the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda carried out the attacks which took 2,977 American lives.

Yet the attacks didn't bring America to its knees as the terrorists hoped, speakers at Sunday's service said.

Instead, Pennsylvania VFW Commander Dwight Fuhrman said, it strengthened them and brought a new sense of patriotism,

"Out of the twisted metal, dust and rubble of 9/11, a new sense of patriotism was born," he said. "Today we stand tall to safeguard the American dream."

Fuhrman, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, was the featured speaker at the service, but  other participants echoed similar thoughts, .

"It's hard to believe it's been 16 years," said Cheryl Wahls, president of the United Churches of Chambersburg. "It has changed us and our way of life, but because we are Americans and have eternal optimism, we did what we have to, we pulled together."

"May we never forget," Letterkenny Army Depot Commander Col. Stephen Ledbetter said.

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The Rev. Dr. Renata Harper said Americans  grieved after the attacks, but then gathered together, helped each other and the victims and remained strong.

The Rev. Dr. Allie Harper Jr. said Sunday's service was as much a celebration of the survival of  "this great country" as it was a  memorial service for those who died, including the heroes  and first responders who  worked so hard that day to rescue victims.

"Americans came together when the chips were down... when freedom was threatened," Fuhrman added. "Our resolve to protect freedom was stronger (as a result) of the effort."

He said the memory of the innocent lives taken in 9/11 will remain etched in the minds of Americans, but predicted those same Americans will remain strong in the face of threats to their freedom. 

He called the chapel and its adjacent Veterans and 9/11 Memorial Park the appropriate place for the annual remembrance service.

"It's history makes it the perfect spot for (this) county--wide ceremony," he said.

The service is hosted by United Churches of  the Chambersburg  Area every year.

Vicky Taylor, 717-26204753