Sept. 11 vigil so we ‘never forget’

NORTH CANAAN — In the months following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Congress enacted a law declaring that date to be Patriot Day.

The act recounts the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the bravery of citizens who died foiling an airplane hijacking attempt. It notes the thousands of innocent people killed and states, “Whereas in the aftermath of the attacks the people of the United States stood united in providing support for those in need.”

Patriot Day is a chance to reflect and to remember those who died.

At St. Joseph’s Church, the Knights of Columbus Berkshire Council 1520 will host its 24-hour vigil beginning at midnight Sept. 11. It is the eighth year, and the vigil has evolved into what organizer Nick DeAngelis calls a wake. The church is open during the entire time, a special Mass is planned and there will be memorial displays under a tent on the lawn. A large American flag will fly as always from the raised ladder of Canaan Fire Company’s Ladder 1. A cannon is fired to mark each attack.

People stop by for a few minutes, or for part of the day. They sit quietly. Some chat. They look through the lists of the names of the dead, seeking familiar ones.

Each year, a number of people pull in after hearing those names, perhaps while stopped at the traffic light, being read over a PA system. That list has grown to include the more than 6,800 men and women who died in combat in the Middle East. And it continues to grow, DeAngelis said, as rescuers begin to die from the effects, mostly lung damage. They are listed as “duty deaths.”

The names are read over and over during the 24 hours by volunteers.

“One year, there was a police officer traveling through town. He was stopped at the light with his window down when he heard the name of someone who had been in his command. He came over to us in tears.”

DeAngelis has lots of stories like this. They affirm for him that the vigil is meeting a need, and negate the sometimes negative comments.

“We’ve had people accuse us of making a political statement. They say we should forgive and forget. But it’s not about forgiveness, and we can never, and we should never, forget.”

For a complete schedule go to www.patriotday1.com. To help organize or participate, contact DeAngelis at 860-671-1018 or patriotday1@comcast.net.