It was all about the children at Thursday's 9/11 Remembrance Service in Tamaqua.

With the sounds of carefree children laughing and playing in the background at the South Ward Playground, speaker after speaker touched on the importance of children, those who lost loved ones in the terror attacks in 2001, those who lost parents in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those who have been born since that heart-wrenching day under the constant threat of another terror attack.Former Tamaqua Mayor Richard Hadesty served as master of ceremonies, while Dolinda Linkhorst started the program by singing "The Star-Spangled Banner."Guest speakers included Schuylkill County Commissioners George Halcovage and Gary Hess, state Rep. Jerry Knowles, District Judge Stephen Bayer, Tamaqua Council President Micah Gursky, Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison, the Rev. Ed Noftz of the New Life Assembly of God Church and Maj. Sharon Whispell of the Tamaqua Salvation Army.U.S. Marine Corps veteran Andy Leibenguth provided a visual reminder of how many lives have been lost since that day by unveiling a 201-panel banner containing the names of the victims of 9/11 and the military personnel lost in the fight against terrorists. Each panel contained 35 names. George Haldeman of the South Ward Fire Company read the "Fireman's Prayer."Also well-represented were the Tamaqua Fire Police, Tamaqua Police Department and the American Legion Riders.A tribute to the late John "Sonny" Trudich was also part of the ceremony. Trudich was remembered for his love of community and untiring devotion to improving life for generations of Tamaqua residents.Speakers also offered their best wishes and prayers for the health of Cecilia "Jackie" Jones, the original organizer of the event. Jones was unable to attend Thursday due to being hospitalized.Each speaker touched on the horrors of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as this country's response over the intervening years. No one considered the War on Terror to be over, especially with the events of the past few weeks with extremists in the Middle East conducting mass killings of innocent men, women and children.The phrases "Never Forget" and "History Repeats Itself" were mentioned by several of the speakers. Councilman Gursky used his three children as examples of a generation growing up under the constant threat of terror, so very different from the carefree days of his youth.State Rep. Knowles said he has attended all of the past remembrance events."This (remembrance service) is something I will always make sure is on my calendar."It's important to remember the events of that tragic day and to make sure our children and their children know of the innocents who paid the price of freedom, as well as the brave men and women who defend it every day."Becky Fredericks and her nephew, D.J. Fredericks, ended the service with a trumpet duet of taps.