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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .The Austintown Fire Department Honor Gaurd performed the Posting of the Colors at the Sept. 11 memorial event in Austintown.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .The Austintown Fire Department Honor Gaurd helped kick off the Sept. 11 memorial event with the Posting the Colors.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .The 9/11 Memorial was center stage Sept. 11 for the 2018 memorial event.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .AnnaMaria Jadue sang the Nationa Anthem at the annual Sept. 11 memorial event in Austintown.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .The Austintown Fitch High School concert choir, led by director Bill Klein, performed at the Sept. 11 Memorial event.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker .A large American Flag was suspended between two local Fire department vehicles during the Sept. 11 Memorial event in Austintown.
By JESSICA HARKER
Austintown hosted its annual 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Mahoning Valley 9/11 Memorial Park.
This year marks the 17th year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
Since 2002, the memorial park has hosted a ceremony in honor of those who lost their lives during the attack.
A range of local police and fire officers were present at the event with their vehicles.
The Austintown Fire Department even used two trucks to display a large American flag during the event.
The Catholic War Veterans from Youngstown Post #1292 kicked off the event with a volley.
Then Father Richard Lambert, from St. Mary’s Church led those gathered at the event in an “Our Father.”
The Austintown Fire Department Honor Guard then performed the posting of the colors.
During the event Trustee Jim Davis led introductions. John Boccieri, 910th Air Wing USAFR Colonel, was the guest speaker at the event.
Boccieri discussed the importance of never forgetting what happened 17 years prior.
“It’s was historical, and we hold that memory every day,” he said.
Local performer and 2014 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School AnnaMaria Jadue sung the National Anthem at the event.
The Fitch concert choir also performed.
After introductions and speeches the flag was presented at the ceremony.
Representatives from the American Legion and Austintown fire and police departments helped perform the ceremony.
“We are all gathered here as a community to honor the day and those who lost their lives to keep others safe,” Davis said.
The Mahoning Valley 9/11 Memorial Park is located at 1055 South Raccoon Road and is open year-round.
According to park curator Pay Connolly, it is run solely by volunteers and they are always looking for new people to help.
Community members are welcome to purchase memorial bricks that support the park, or to volunteer their time by contacting Connolly at 330-718-2345.