Honoring the memories of those killed during the September 11, 2001, terror attacks as well as the bravery of first responders is a longstanding tradition in Newton.
At the annual ceremony held on September 11 at the Newton 9-11 Memorial, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller offered words of comfort and asked attendees to look behind them at first responders standing near Centre Street to “pause and say thank you” for their service.
She praised those men and women who 23 years ago “ran toward the chaos … [and] combed through the debris” in the desperate search for survivors and remains.
All the other speakers also praised firefighters, EMTs, police, and other first responders for their bravery during the attacks that “killed 2,977 people and injured thousands at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania,” according to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
Approximately 125-150 people gathered outside of Newton Fire Headquarters for the somber anniversary and learned more about those connected with Newton whose lives were cut short because of the attacks.
Another speaker, Anthony Amore — a former FAA security officer at Logan Airport — recalled the sense of unity in America after the tragedy, and hoped for its return.
“Today that unity seems a distant memory,” said Amore. He reminded the attendees that it is possible to come together as a nation, lamenting the bitter divisions of recent years.
School Superintendent Anna Nolin said, “We want our young people to know they have the capacity to make a difference,” noting that she knew Newton native Stuart Todd Meltzer, who was only 32 when he was killed while working at One World Trade Center in New York.
“Your loved ones are remembered,” she reassured family members of those who were killed.
“Stu, you are missed every day,” said his brother, Ken Meltzer at the podium.
Irene Ross spoke lovingly about her brother, Richard Barry Ross, who was 58 when he was killed on hijacked Flight 11.
“Richard was a very, very special guy. He had a big heart,” she said, as she gave an update on his family members. City Councilor-at-Large Rick Lipof, who was Ross’ neighbor, also recalled Ross’s generosity and kindness.
Haleema Salie spoke briefly about her daughter, Rahma Salie, who was also on Flight 11 when she was killed at age 28.
“We miss her, dearly,” she said. In addition to her daughter, who was seven months pregnant, Haleema Salie also lost her son-in-law, Michael Theodoridis, who was also on the plane.
The others who resided in Newton — or had strong ties with the Newton — and were killed on September 11, 2001, included Mark Bavis, Paige Farley-Hackel, Nicholas Humber, Aaron Jacobs, and Amy E. Toyen.
Scholarships
To inspire the next generation to learn more about the terror attacks, the Newton 9-11 Memorial Committee for the second year awarded scholarships to city students.
“By engaging current students to write about 9-11, we hope to preserve the lessons of that fateful September day,” according to the organization’s website.
Sande Young, committee founder, awarded the scholarships to students Zack Gusenoff (first), Joseph Russo (second) and Sophia Lau (third).
To conclude the ceremony, Newton Fire Chaplain, the Rev. Mark Caggiano, offered final words of comfort to the families of the eight city residents who were killed: “May they be at peace in the eternal embrace of God.”
