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9/11 program continues at township memorial park
By ROBERT CONNELLY
AUSTINTOWN
Mahoning Valley residents will join together Thursday to remember the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Mahoning Valley 9/11 Committee is hosting a night of remembrance at the 9/11 Memorial Park, 1055 S. Raccoon Road, across the street from Austintown Middle School.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and features Fire Department of New York engine 297, which was active Sept. 11, 2001.
Fred Marcum, an Austintown firefighter and ceremony coordinator, said there has been an attendance increase of 10 to 20 percent yearly as awareness of the event grows.
“This was one of the most-tragic events that probably nobody thought they would see in their lifetime, and to pay honor and tribute in memoriam like we do is huge. I want to keep that memory alive,” Marcum said.
There will be color-guard presentations from the Youngstown Police Department, Cardinal Joint Fire District and Austintown Fire Department. The Youngstown Fire Department also will be represented at the event.
“It’s not just an Austintown 9/11 park — this is a Mahoning Valley 9/11 park, all inclusive. We want everyone from the Mahoning Valley to come out and pay their tributes and respects,” Marcum said.
Austintown Fire Chief Andy Frost III recalled a Mahoning Valley Fire Chiefs meeting from last week.
“Some of the younger firefighters we’re getting right now were 10 years old or even younger when this happened. They don’t remember this stuff, and it’s just so important to me in the fire service because there was so much learning done that day that I don’t want our young people to ever forget or not understand what happened that day,” Frost said.
The previous 11 ceremonies had been fully funded. Marcum said this year, however, the committee is seeking donations to cover about $1,000 in expenses. “This year, it’s getting a little more tough to have the people commit to that with the economy the way it is,” he said. “I’m not sure what the future is going to hold, but I think we’re to the point now where fundraising is going to be a big aspect of keeping the park alive.”
Raccoon Road will be closed at the park from 4:45 p.m. to about 7:30, or when the cleanup finishes, Marcum said.
There will be designated parking areas and shuttles available for disabled attendees.
If there is bad weather, the event will be moved inside at Austintown Middle School.
“I just ask that everyone comes out and checks out this ceremony,” Marcum said. “It’s such an important event in U.S. history that we need people to know. We need people to remember.”