Pittsfield Marks 24th Anniversary of Terror Attacks
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The terror attacks in 2001 left an indelible mark on the nation and its citizens at the time.
"You'll never forget where you were on 9/11," Army Sgt. 1st Class Mark Pompi told a sizable crowd at the Veterans Memorial Park on Thursday.
Local veterans and city officials marked the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States that killed 2,977 people. The annual ceremony was held in front of the Iraq/Afghanistan War Memorial dedicated on Sept. 11, 2020.
"I know September 11, 2001, will always be one of those moments in time that we will never forget. And like many of you, I can remember the exact place that I was when we heard the news that the first Twin Tower was hit in New York City," Mayor Peter Marchetti said, detailing his experience while working at the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
"… We first learned of the news of the first tower, and then we turned on the TV, stopped training, and watched the devastating news, not only as tower one was attacked, but the second tower as well, followed by the attack on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the crash of United 93 in Pennsylvania. Even in all the tragedy, there are moments which we came together as one country."
He pointed to the 3,000 lives that were lost on that day, many more affected, and five local veterans who were killed in action between 2001 and 2013 during the Global War on Terror.
"So today, let's remember and thank the first responders, including those from Pittsfield and Berkshire County who ran towards the danger and did whatever they could to help the rescue and recovery efforts," Marchetti said.
"In addition, let's remember and thank the many men and women who heeded the call to join the armed forces following the attacks with a commitment to preserve and protect the freedoms that we hold today."
The memorial honors the five soldiers from Berkshire County who died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan: Sgt. Glenn R. Allison, Spc. Michael R. DeMarsico II, Spc. Michael R. Daehling, Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory, and Chief Warrant Officer Stephen M. Wells.
"This long overdue monument is not only to honor those from Berkshire County that gave all, but to all of the veterans that served during these conflicts and to those still serving," VFW Post 448 Commander Arnie Perras said.
"But it's events like this that will keep alive, never letting us forget their sacrifices."
Pompi said "none of this happens" without Perras, who put together the coalition, funding, and did a lot of work behind the scenes.
"We didn't think that we could pull it off because of the raging pandemic in the world at that time, but Arnie felt very strongly that we wanted to stay on target and dedicate it on our timeline, which was 9/11 2020, and by God, we did it," he explained.
"And again, thanks to Arnie and thanks to the coalition, we actually were able to pull this beautiful monument off. I drive by it every single day, and I think about those five soldiers that are honored on this beautiful Memorial."
Former President Joe Biden pulled troops out of Afghanistan in 2021, and veterans began working with other community organizations to support refugees who were relocated to the United States. The Afghan Resettlement Program was launched that same year, after about 125,000 Afghans and allied citizens were airlifted out, while others made their way out by other means.
Pompi recalled the people who helped the U.S. military in his time overseas, "Some of whom are still my close friends that I'm still in contact with, especially our interpreters."
"Part of the reason why I got involved in the Afghan Refugee Resettlement Program was basically to honor them, and I'm happy to say that all three of those people and their families now reside in the United States," he said.
"The effort that we did here in Berkshire County and here in Pittsfield was unbelievable. Our veterans coalition came together, about 30 of us came together with our different church agencies, the city of Pittsfield, and the Veterans Coalition. I mean, we pulled together resources, furniture, food, whatever these families needed. We helped them to get resettled, and it was one of the proudest accomplishments of my life, many of whom are still in the community today."
In 2022, the VFW presented Jewish Family Services of Berkshire County with a $10,000 check to help new Afghan Americans settle in by supporting the acquisition of housing and other resources needed for success.
Tags: terror attacks, veterans, war memorial,
