For 102 minutes, scores people – from firefighters dressed in full gear to the youngsters in shorts and T-shirts – marched down Buchanan’s Main Street remembering the 2,977 people who perished 19 years ago in the worst domestic terrorist attack in U.S. history during the town’s second annual Sept. 11 Memorial March.
Under clear skies, the Red, White and Blue waved as marchers paused at significant times to remember the victims. At 8:46 a.m. when Flight 11 crashes into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower. At 9:03 a.m. when Flight 175 slammed into floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower. Again at 9:37 a.m. – American Airlines Flight 77 flew into the Pentagon. Again at 10:03 a.m. when United Airlines Flight 93 plummeted into a field near Shanksville, Pa. And finally, at 10:28 a.m. when the North Tower collapses after burning for 102 minutes.
For Bill Price, the event’s organizer and a retired firefighter, the march is about never forgetting, saying the event is “a way to remember what happened that day, to remember the first responders, the rescue personnel and to let them know we remember.” Price added the march also is a way to teach the younger generation about the attack.
Fire companies from Buchanan, Eagle Rock and other community attended the remembrance event.
After the march, participants watched a free showing of “102 Minutes that Changed America,” a documentary of the attack, at the Buchanan Theatre.
