Plans take shape for 9/11 event

Posted By: VenangoExtra.com September 5, 2021

By KARA O’NEIL

Staff writer

A community 9/11 service of remembrance will be held Sept. 11 in Oil City’s Justus Park to coincide with the 20-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Johnstown.

The service, organized by the Rev. Tom Carr, the new pastor of Trinity, Plumer and Bethel United Methodist churches, and the Rev. Ron Geisler, the new pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, starts at 10 a.m. and will “remember the sacrifice and recognize the service of our first responders and military,” Carr said.

Lt. Bill Lamberton of the Oil City Fire Department will be the keynote speaker. Lamberton started with the department in 2000, and he said he will speak on what firefighting was like pre-9/11 and how it has changed since then.

“It’s a big thing. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years,” Lamberton said. “We shouldn’t forget. When we forget, we get complacent and then history may repeat itself. It’s important to remember those who died and those who protect our freedoms.”

Carr said the Oil City Fire Department crew on duty that day will bring the department’s tower truck and have an American flag hanging from the truck during the service.

Oil City Fire Chief Derek Long added that many firefighters, including him, won’t be able to attend since they have an annual training that day.

Mayor Bill Moon and Oil City Police Chief Dave Ragon will also be participating in the service.

“It’s very important…everybody said we shall never forget,” Ragon said of commemorating the anniversary of 9/11. “We commemorated it every year — the first year, the fifth year and the 10th year. It’s important for those who went through it and for the younger ones who are learning about what happened.”

Ragon noted that Flight 93 that crashed in Johnstown flew over the northern part of Venango County at the beginning of its flight and again over the southern part of the county after it had been turned around by hijackers.

“I’m pleased with the commitment from the community leadership…I’m hoping it will become something of a community event in light of everything with 9/11 and recent events of the military and diplomatic withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Carr said.

Carr added that he is still working on lining up participants in the service and finalizing things.

Mostly Brass will play the prelude and the national anthem, and Holey Jeans will sing three selections during the service, Carr said.

In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church at 2 Center St.