Boy Scouts lead September 11^th Memorial Service

By Stephanie English

  On Thursday, the seven- year anniversary of the day that changed America,
the Boy Scouts of Troop 160 along with local residents gathered at the corner
of Oxford Avenue and Cottman Avenue to honor all those who lost their lives
to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

   At 7 p.m., over five dozen people came together for the evening memorial
service which took place on the steps of the World War II Memorial at the
5-points intersection, just as it has for the past seven years. Fire trucks,
firefighters, retired firefighters, politician Matt Taubenberger, boy scouts
 and local residents assembled around the monument. 
 The leader of Boy Scout Troop 160 began the service with a few words. 
The boy scouts then raised a flag, and the crowd shared a moment of silence
while saluting the American flag.  The service ended with the lighting of candles
which were placed around the steps of the monument.  The candles were then
left to burn long into the night.

  Just as it had seven years ago, the crowd came together not as individuals,
but rather as united citizens of America.  Memories and emotions were clearly
visible on the faces of everyone present.  The memorial service was especially
moving for the firefighters in attendance.  The coming together of the community,
both young and old, proved very meaningful, considering some of the younger
scouts were just babies when the September 11^th attacks took place.

   “Its really about just getting out here.  If we don’t teach our kids this stuff,
who will?” said firefighter Dan Crawford

We, as a country, once proclaimed, “We will never forget,” and we never will.