Five area first responders recognized for role in 9/11 rescue efforts

Twenty-five years ago today, what many consider to be the worst domestic terror attack in U.S. history took place as a series of four coordinated strikes by al-Qaida, using commercial airliners, resulted in the destruction of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, damage to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the loss of nearly 3,000 lives.

In the days that followed, emergency responders from across the country answered the call to assist with rescue and recovery efforts in New York, Washington and an area near Shanksville, Pa., where one of the planes used in the attacks crashed.

This week, five of those individuals -- Gregory Salkovick, Rob McMahon, Mikeal Serafine, Jayson Merigo and Harry Beatty -- were recognized for their willingness to step forward.

"All five came out of Hooverson Heights Fire Department," noted Brooke Commission President Tom Diserio during Tuesday's commission meeting. "All five are still actively serving the community."

Serafine, who currently is a lieutenant with the Weirton Fire Department, also was recognized during Tuesday's meeting of Weirton Council, presented with a certificate of appreciation and commemorative coins in recognition of the anniversary.

He explained the five decided to volunteer toward the effort the day of the attacks.

"That evening, we submitted our team name to FEMA," Serafine said. "The next morning, on the 12th, we received a phone call from FEMA, who told us to respond to New York."

The group would travel to Jersey City, N.J., from where they were dispatched to the scene.

"They transported us by boat, across the Hudson River to Ground Zero," he said, explaining they worked 12-hour shifts for four days before returning to the Ohio Valley.

"We were proud to assist in the rescue and recovery effort," Serafine said, noting he didn’t expect any kind of recognition.

Mayor Dean Harris encouraged residents to think of those who lost their lives in the attacks, as well as in the war which followed, not just on this particular anniversary, but every year.

"It probably changed this country more than any event," he said, adding those who were alive would all, no doubt, remember where they were.

During the attacks, terrorists hijacked the four airliners, with two of the flights -- American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 -- striking the World Trade Center. The North Tower would be hit at 8:46 a.m., with the South Tower at 9:03 a.m.

American Airlines Flight 77 was crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m.

The fourth flight, United Flight 93, was crashed into a field near Shanksville after passengers and crew fought back against the terrorists, preventing them from reaching their target in Washington.

Official tallies note 2,977 individuals died on Sept. 11, 2001, including 441 emergency responders.