Emmett O’Brien Students Remember 9/11

At 8:46 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 students at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School (EOB) in Ansonia fell silent in reflection as a lone fire truck set off an alarm that heralded the start of a ceremony recalling the tragic events of 9/11 six years ago.

Joe Hurliman, Chief of the Shelton Police Department, participated in the event and said. “Looking back at the bravery of the police and firemen is incredible.  They did a magnificent job of saving thousands of lives at a heavy cost to the Port Authority, New York Police Department (NYPD) and the New York Fire Department (NYFD).”

EOB students proceeded to the gym where an Honor Guard made its way toward the stage.  Representatives from the U.S. Armed Forces, the Police Department and the Fire Department of Ansonia and Shelton CT followed and saluted those who died on that day.

After the National Anthem was played, guest speaker Colonel Tom Behuniak, a resident of Seymour, Social Studies instructor at EOB, former veteran and Judge Attorney General (JAG attorney) for the military said in his speech,”  The events of 9/11 are marked in our collective and individual mind.  That day was a turning point in our lives.  My own former home the Pentagon went up in smoke.”

Students Monica Detullio and James Blaskewicz spoke to their peers. The two students recalled where they had been during the moments when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers.

A power-point presentation took the audience on a visual step-by-step journey through the history of the attack and its aftermath. The candle light ceremony led into the teacher’s choir singing “God Bless America.”

Students were brought out into the front of the school class by class to view the mum-filled Memorial Garden begun by Social Studies instructor Jim Marrone, who with the English/Social Studies Department Head, Lee Goodmen, spearheaded the event.

Installation of the wrought iron fence surrounding the Memorial Garden was donated by the Walsh Fencing Company of Seymour.

In the spirit of remembrance, Commissioner Justin Sabatino of the Shelton Fire Department commented, “September 11, 2001 was a terrible day for the country.  Every year I try to do something for everyone, not only the Fire Department.”

Photo By Shawn Adomelis

From Left to Right; Senior Nick Mclary(Seymour Fire Dept.), Senior Dan Kershaw Jr. (Ansonia Fire Dept.), Junior Jim Blaskewicz (Ansonia Fire + Derby Fire Depts.), Senior Matt Dickervitz (Shelton Fire Department), Junior Chris Wyant (Ansonia fire + Derby Fire Depts.) All of whom are students at Emmett O'Brien, in front of 9-11 Memorial Garden loacated in front of the school.