On a beautiful Saturday morning, on a day much like the day 20 years before, Springfield’s Emergency responders from Police, Fire, OEM, DPW & EMS gathered at Town Hall to pay tribute to those that had given their lives 20 years before. The solemn ceremony commenced at 830 am with Deputy Mayor Alex Keiser introducing Father Santos from St. James Roman Catholic Church. After Father Santos’ remarks, at 8:46 am, the Fire Department rang their bell to signify the first plane striking the North Tower.
Following the bell being rung, Township Committeeman Rich Huber, who had worked at the Towers, spoke about that day and about his friend Lee Adler, one of two Springfield residents who lost their life that day. Then Springfield Police Chief John Cook and Springfield EMS Chief Apu Mullick commented on their experiences on that day and what it meant to them. At 9:03 am the bell was rung once again, the time at which the second plane stuck the South Tower. After this ceremony the group adjourned to Patriot’s Park where a wreath was placed in front of the Adler-Heltibridle Memorial Garden. Elden Swindell, a Springfield Resident and piper, played Amazing Grace and Flowers of the Forest on his bagpipe.
At that point, Mrs. Isabell Adler who was present in the group, spoke about her son Lee Adler. She mentioned that she normally attend the ceremony at ground zero in New York City each year but for the 20th Anniversary she chose to come to Springfield’s ceremony. Also in attendance were Lee Adler’s sister-in-law, Leslie Adler, niece Sarah Adler, and brother Aaron Adler. Mrs. Adler commented to the Patriot Times that her son was brilliant and volunteered for a lot of things in Springfield including coaching sports event. The other resident who perished that day was Joann Heltibridle.
Photos by Bob Donnelly & Jennifer Sherman
