Residents mark Sept. 11 with moving
memorial
By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer
Against the backdrop of a sun setting below the Lake St. Clair horizon, an estimated 1,000 people gathered on the Grosse Pointe War Memorial lawn for a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
It was a solemn service that included the participation of a U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, World War II veterans Ray Laenan and War Memorial Board Chair Frank J. Sladen Jr., music from the band Work in Progress, War Memorial President Mark Weber, Rev. Eddie Bray from Grosse Pointe United Church and U.S. Navy Commander Petersen Decker, a Gulf War veteran, among others.
“All of us here feel a personal toll and sense of vulnerability from a tragedy like this,” Weber said.
Grosse Pointe Farms Mayor Edward Gaffney reminded attendees of the sacrifices made by police, fire fighters and EMS workers during the attacks, and here at home.
“We owe [those] in blue a great debt of gratitude,” Gaffney said. “We should never take for granted the job they do for us every day of the year.”
Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, young and old held candles, recited the “Pledge of Allegiance” and joined in a rendition of the national anthem. And in a particular moment of unity, the entire audience stood as if on cue during Work in Progress’ performance of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
Attendees left the ceremony moved.
“I thought it was beautiful,” Farms resident Sandy O’Keefe said. “It really brought to life the community spirit, and it was very touching.”
Julie Morang of Grosse Pointe Park was also struck by the beauty of the event.
“It was very patriotic, very moving,” Morang said.
For a tearful Laura Ventittelli, who came from Monroe for the service, it was a chance to mourn and remember with others.
“I think it gave some help and healing,” Ventittelli said. “I felt more like I didn’t want to be home alone [for the first anniversary of Sept. 11].”
Those who attended not only seemed to share a sense of community, but a sense of purpose.
As Krys Schroeder of Grosse Pointe Woods observed, “We need to make sure that we honor those that are willing to give their lives for the freedom that we have.”
Perhaps Decker put it best, urging Americans to retain resolve and persevere, even as they mourn and remember.
“We are now the ones who remain and who will honorably overcome the consequences,” Decker said.
In honor of the fallen World Trade Center twin towers, the War Memorial was beaming two towers of light into the sky through Sept. 17.