About 200 people attended a "Patriot Day 9/11" program Sunday in Weatherly, held to mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America.

The event, held by the Weatherly Monument, was staged by the Weatherly American Legion and included firefighters, ambulance personnel, police officers, military members, high school students, and political leaders.It began with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., which was the time on Sept. 11, 2001 that al-Qaida hijackers forced American Airlines Flight 11, loaded with people, to crash into the World Trade Center.Serving as the main speaker at the service was SSC Charles R. Francisco of Weatherly, who is a member of the Lehighton unit of the National Guard and who has been deployed to the Middle East as an extended result of the Sept. 11 attacks.Francisco told the gathering about the impact 9/11 has had on him."This is such a great honor to be here and is probably the most important speaking engagement I've ever had," said Francisco.He said that throughout history, "there are certain images that become etched in our mind." These include, he said, Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, and Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon. He said images recorded from 9/11 also will never be forgotten.Francisco recalled the many acts of heroism that occurred on 9/11, including how the passengers on Flight 93 fought back against the terrorists and resulted in the hijacked aircraft crashing into a field in a rural area of Somerset County, instead of likely hitting a landmark building in Washington D.C.The speaker mentioned one passenger on Flight 93, Todd Beamer, who called his wife with a cell phone, told her about the hijacking, and said he and fellow passengers "weren't going to let terrorists get away with it."Beamer placed his phone down and his wife could hear him beckon other passengers, "Let's roll."Like Beamer, "let's roll," urged Francisco, referring to the continued fight against terrorism.Other speakers included state Rep. Doyle Heffley and Carbon County Commissioners William O'Gurek, Charles Getz and Wayne Nothstein.Heffley shared that when 9/11 occurred, he was a truck driver who made daily trips to Brooklyn. He said that on the morning of 9/11, he crossed the Verrazano Bridge at about 6 a.m. and, like he did every morning, looked over at the New York skyline."I never thought that would be the last time I would see the towers," he said.He added that the following morning, he went to Brooklyn and crossed the Verrazano Bridge at about 3 a.m. He saw that the Twin Towers were gone and there was a terrible, metallic odor a smell he never again wants to experience.His thoughts that morning were, "This, in my opinion, is World War III."Heffley praised the political leaders "for holding our country together and going after those who are responsible.""Today," he said, "is about remembering the victims."He urged that "we renew our vows to prevent anything like this from happening again."Henry M. Desroisers, Carbon County director of Veterans Affairs, said before assuming his present job he was a police officer for 25 years in Connecticut. He said members of his department were dispatched to the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 attacks."If anything positive came out of this," said O'Gurek, "it's a true and sincere appreciation of those people who put their lives on the line for us on a daily basis," making reference to the military members and emergency responders.Getz said the 9/11 attacks "changes the lives of all Americans forever."Nothstein, who is an active member of the Lehighton Fire Department, wore fire department dress apparel for the service.He urged that we continually show our patriotism by displaying the American flag. He said one way to demonstrate patriotism is that during the playing of the national anthem, we stop talking, we stop walking, and we hold our hand over our heart.Regarding the firefighters and police officers who died at the World Trade Center, Nothstein commented, "The best of the best entered those buildings knowing they might not come out alive, but they did save many, many lives.""The war on terrorism will never end," he said, "and we must never let our guard down."Remarks were also given by Weatherly Mayor Thomas Connors and American Legion Post 360 Commander Thomas W. Keener.Connors shared a personal story about his daughter and the fear she possessed when someone tried to break into her residence. He praised the police for a quick response.He said that whether it's the police, ambulance personnel, or firefighters, "We call for help and they respond and help us."He added that the military is also to be commended."When we are under attack, we call and they respond and help us."Georgeann Herling, Post 360 vice commander, and Barbara A. Miller, American Legion unit president, placed a wreath at the base of the Weatherly monument.Special recognition was given to first responders and military veterans. Two Weatherly residents who were pressed into military duty following 9/11 were Francisco and Thomas Connors Jr. Each was given a certificate by the Legion Post.The invocation and benediction were offered by the Rev. Donald Stump.Sarah Minnick sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and led the audience in singing "God Bless America."There were selections performed by the Weatherly High School Band and high school chorus.The color guard of American Legion Post 360 presented a firing salute over the monument.