AUBURN – Dozens of police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel from area communities stood straight and proud as they accepted the heart-felt thanks of national, state and local dignitaries at Monday evening’s fifth anniversary Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at Festival Plaza.

The principal speakers’ remarks were brief. Each related emotionally-charged stories of their personal observations that day of tragedy in New York, in Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania.

“We should take this opportunity to recognize that it is our first responders on the front lines of today’s terrorist battles,” Gov. John Baldacci said.

Second District Congressman Michael H. Michaud told the Auburn audience, “As we remember with sadness the events of Sept. 11, 2001, we also remember the courage that was displayed, and we recognize that there are heroes among us every day – our police, firefighters, EMTs and countless other first responders.”

He said, “By recognizing and thanking them, we memorialize and honor the heroes of 9/11.”

In written remarks delivered by their local representatives, Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan M. Collins also recognized the extraordinary sacrifices and daily contributions of Maine’s first responders.

In their remarks, Baldacci – a Democrat – and the two senators – Republicans – recalled how they stood with Senate and Congressional colleagues on the steps of the Capitol Building and sang “God Bless America” as evening fell on Sept. 11, 2001.

They each remembered the shock they felt in Washington that day when they realized the nation was under attack.

Baldacci – then a congressman in Washington – described how he could see smoke rising from the Pentagon.

He said the impact of the plane that hit the Pentagon sent shock waves through the ground that he could feel where he stood.

“I felt something that I had never felt before in my entire life,” he said. “The ground started to shake. We were under attack. It seemed like what Pearl Harbor must have seemed like to our veterans so many years ago.”

Michaud, then president of the Maine Senate, told how he and other state officials were rushed from the State House in Augusta to a remote and secure location where they learned how “brave men and women went to the frontlines to run into the burning buildings to save their fellow citizens.”

The turnout for the ceremony filled more than half of Auburn’s Festival Plaza. Area residents, young and old, passed under a large American flag suspended between the raised ladders of Auburn Fire Department’s Tower 1 truck and Lewiston Fire Department’s Engine 3 as they arrived for the program shortly before sunset.

Towns lend support

Apparatus from Sabattus and Mechanic Falls also was on hand, as well as the Salvation Army’s Emergency Canteen vehicles and United Ambulance paramedic vehicles.

Minot, Turner, New Gloucester and Durham also were represented.

Many younger families came in support of the uniformed first responders who were being honored. The audience also included many veterans wearing American Legion or Veteran of Foreign Wars caps.

Leaders and several members of Boy Scout Troop 153, New Auburn, attended in uniform.

Small flags were passed out to everyone by volunteers associated with the Auburn Police Department, and there was a table of free cookies, pastries, soda and water provided by the Auburn Recreation Department.

Tom Dostie, who dressed for the occasion in stars-and-stripes from head to toe, came to the refreshment table and donated bags of Tootsie Rolls in red, white and blue wrappers.

Following introductions by Auburn’s Ward Three Councilor Eric G. Samson on behalf of Mayor Normand Guay, who was out of town, Lewiston Mayor Lionel Guay said, “Amidst the sadness and destruction, we still have many things to celebrate and be grateful for. We have our freedom, we have hope, and we have each other.”

A roll call of names was read commemorating 9/11 victims from Maine or with Maine ties, as well as members of Auburn and Lewiston police and fire departments who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Nate Westleigh, an Auburn police officer, presented a trumpet solo of “Amazing Grace,” and master of ceremonies Nick Knowlton sang “God Bless the U.S.A.”

The program began and ended with a color guard, and the audience stayed for music by the Fanfare Concert Orchestra, which has been the house band at Poland Spring Inn for the past 17 years.

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– 9/11 Photo Gallery