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Weirton’s emergency responders honored

Blue Mass celebrated on anniversary of 9/11

HONORED — Members of the Weirton Police Department, Weirton Fire Department and the Weirton Area Ambulance and Rescue Squad were honored Monday as part of a Blue Mass held at St. Joseph the Worker Church. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Members of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, along with students from Weirton Madonna High School and St. Joseph the Worker Grade School, came together Monday to thank local emergency responders for their service, holding a Blue Mass on what was the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Representatives of the Weirton Fire Department, Weirton Police Department and Weirton Area Ambulance and Rescue Squad were in attendance for the Mass, which was celebrated by the Rev. Dennis J. Schuelkens Jr.

“We’re remembering and giving thanks for those who willfully place themselves in situations that are dangerous for the good of the community and in cultivating peace,” Schuelkens said.

Schuelkens discussed the importance of remembering the “moments that matter most,” which he said are those moments which will echo through eternity.

“It’s important we remember the mission they live out each day,” he said. “Those are the moments of true character.”

Schuelkens noted the service of those on Sept. 11, 2001, when close to 3,000 people were killed and more than 6,000 others wounded. Those included the deaths of 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers.

In particular, Schuelkens told of the service of Officer Ramon Suarez, who he said commandeered a taxi to respond to the scene of the World Trade Center; NYPD Officer Moira Smith, the department’s only female officer to die that day and among the first to report the attacks; and of Tim and Tom Haskell, brothers who both served as New York City firefighters.

To thank local emergency responders for their service, each was presented with a gift from the students. A lunch reception followed at Madonna High School.

According to event organizers, the first Blue Mass was celebrated Sept. 29, 1934 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., with 1,100 police officers and firefighters in attendance to honor the fallen members of their ranks.

The Mass took on a new significance following the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, with celebrations held throughout the United States.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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