Former United States Marine and now United States Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Paul M. Steelman of Old Bridge, New Jersey, served in Iraq in 2005-2006 and in Afghanistan in 2008. SSG Steelman earned the Bronze Star for Meritorious achievements, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement medal and the Navy Achievement medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Army Service ribbon, NATO medal, Keystone Freedom medal, Global War on Terrorism medal, and many more.

He remembers seeing on CNN the first plane hit the North World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001 and feeling sorrow for how such an accident could have just happened.Then he watched a second plane hit the South World Trade Center at 9:02 a.m."I knew this was not a tragic accident but some sort of terrorist attack against the U.S. Then the third plan hit the Pentagon at 0937 and the fourth had been brought down by passengers fighting to get back control of Flight 93 at 1003 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 2,977 lives were lost that day," he told those present at the 9/11 candlelight Memorial Program at the West End American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert on Saturday, Sept. 11, nine years after that horrific day in American history.The pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the master mind behind 9/11, and terrorist cells who support him, has led the United States and her allies in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan."As a Pennsylvania National Guard soldier who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have seen the cost of war. On May 20, 2008, while leading a combat patrol in Ghazni Provence, 1st Lt. Jeffery DePrimo was killed in action by an IED. Despite the loss of my LT, my platoon still performed combat missions until we returned stateside in Nov. 2008. When I was asked when I returned home from Afghanistan how my platoon and I were able to go on after my LT had been killed and still perform combat missions day after day, my reply had been easy. My platoon and I did what we did every day so that not only my LT's death but the 2,977 lives lost on 9/11 would not be in vain."It is stories like this that the American Legion Post 927 brings to the West End each year "to honor and preserve the memory of all those who lost their lives and to the families that have suffered from that tragic event in September 2001. We are also here to pay tribute to all our brave men and women who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces, protecting this country," said Ken Giardina, 927's past commander, membership chairman and 9/11 program coordinator.He introduced Everett Shaver, Commander of Post 927. Shaver served 28 years in the United States Air Force from 1981-2007 and retired as a Lt. Colonel."We vowed we would not forget. But have we? Domestic issues and war in Iraq have our attention, and for good reason. But I fear Sept. 11 is fading in our memories, now relegated to a single paragraph in newspaper stories and occasional references on television. Hundreds of families, though, still suffer gaping holes. A mother, a father, a brother, a child is no longer among them. Along with these loved ones, more than 300 emergency-service workers perished in the attacks. Their survivors live with pain of Sept. 11 daily."Shaver said that those of us not directly affected by the attacks are at a disadvantage."With Ground Zero not outside our front door and the Pentagon not visible from our window, the anger we felt that day is perhaps starting to fade. Yet half a world away, the enemies who hatched the Sept. 11 plot and hope to spawn even more terror are counting on that. Convinced we are a nation of selfish materialists, they do not think we have resolve. They do not cower. They do not think we will triumph over them."Let it be said on this Patriot Day that we shall win. Even as we gather to remember those lost in the attacks, America's military is tracking down terrorists and securing liberty at home and abroad. If the memory of Sept. 11 is fresh for anyone, it is our men and women in uniform. Along with our elected officials and our intelligence agencies, they are tasked with preventing another tragedy of that magnitude. As they patrol Iraq and Afghanistan, weathering rocks, bullets and extreme heat, they are dismantling piece by piece the terror networks that threaten peace and security worldwide. We are indebted to them for their willingness to protect our country. God bless our armed forces."Dean Green of Effort spoke about the need for volunteerism."A Chinese proverb says, 'If you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap. If you want to be happy for a day, go fishing. If you want to be happy for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, help someone.'"Nine years ago today our country was awakened to a new reality by a crisis that called many patriotic Americans to arms through acts of human kindness. Although many years have passed, the need remains to offer our knowledge, time and skills to those in our community, state, country and world who are in need of help. Volunteers in our community, state, country and world are as important today as any time in our history," said Green.After the 9/11 attacks, volunteerism in America grew to 59 million, donating blood, joining the Red Cross and helping those who were hit hardest by the tragedy. But by 2009, that number has dropped drastically."We are becoming complacent. This is a trend which needs to be reversed. We can turn these statistics by becoming a part of a group."Green named organizations like Red Cross, Dream Come True, Salvation Army, Rotary, Lions to become involved in."In the words of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, 'You cannot help someone up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself.'"He and his wife, Sharon, started Operation: Touch of Home nine years ago when their son, Kristopher, was deployed to Falugia. They were told that besides prayers, the most important thing they could do was to send him packages from home. They decided to try to gather support, "not only for our son, but rally the community to let them know how much we appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of these brave men and women. Little did we know at what seemed to be our darkest hour, that this discussion would lead to the start of a local military support group."To date, Operation: Touch of Home has sent nearly 100,000 lbs. of essentials to over 600 local servicemen and women that has far-reaching effects to include thousands of others from Maine to California, and beyond."All because of a group of volunteers with individual talents coming together to reach a common goal."Green challenged everyone to become a volunteer."Are you an armchair quarterback or are you ready to play the game? Join an organization who together, as the Chinese proverb says, 'If you want to be happy for a life time, help someone.' Winston Churchill said it best ...'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.'"Shaver introduced Pennsylvania State Police Trooper First Class Shannon M. Yorke, a veteran of the US Air Force. She has been a PSP trooper for the last 18 years, having served 14 years working out of the Lehighton barracks, now currently serving out of the Hazleton barracks.Trooper Yorke thanked all military veterans and families of those who have and are serving their country."People don't think of the State Police as fighting the war on terror. I remember getting ready to run that morning of 9/11. I was tying on my shoes while watching the Today Show when I saw the planes hit. I was beside myself. I didn't have to go to work until 3 p.m. that day but I began packing a bag. I was ready to go to New York City."She did not have to go, but she was ready to if called upon."As State Police, we are trained to serve anyway we can. God bless."The program opened with the posting of the colors presented by the Post's color guard. The National Anthem was sung by Debra Kennelly, past president of Post 927's auxiliary and she also sang "Mama Will Hold Me" written by a 16-year-old girl who lost her father at the site on 9/11. The opening and closing prayer was given by Pastor Tresita Beach of St. Peter's United Methodist Church, Saylorsburg.Each of the speakers and participants received a certificate of appreciation. Post 927 also presented one to Lenny Longo, who was unable to be there. His daughter, Samantha accepted it on his behalf. Longo has been supplying the PA system equipment and music for the 9/11 program for the last nine years. He is the owner of "Full House Music." It was Longo's recorded voice singing "O Beautiful For Spacious Skies" that was heard as the candles were lit in remembrance.The Post's bell rang nine times for the nine years since that fateful day. And then the haunting refrain of "Taps" was played by echoing bugles in the fading dusk of 9/11 of 2010."We can never forget the past or we are condemned to repeat it," SSG Steelman said.