By Steve Jusseaume

Hampton Union, Friday, September 13, 2002

[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.] Hampton Fire Chief Hank Lipe addresses a crowd gathered at the gazebo in Hamptons Marelli Square for a ceremony Wednesday night commemorating the one~year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. [Staff photo by Emily Reily]

HAMPTON - Services at Hampton Fire Department Station 2, at the gazebo in Marelli Square and at the bandstand in North Hampton highlighted ceremonies commemorating the anniversary of Sept 11 this week.

Fire Station 2

At Fire Station 2 on Winnacunnet Road, with fire apparatus flanking the driveway, fire personnel assembled at 10 am. Wednesday morning. At 10:05 am, at the time the South Tower collapsed in New York City, the station horn sounded four sets of five chimes. Following a minute of silence, the American flag was lowered and Fire Chief Hank Lipe spoke.

"We continue the healing process through remembrance," Lipe said, recalling those emergency personnel who "helped total strangers, risking their lives, making the supreme sacrifice.

"They did their jobs the only way they knew how ... often the test of courage is not to die but to live ... (and) we shall continue to live in the tradition of service, courage and pride"

Town Manager James Barrington noted this is the time to reflect on what is important in our lives and "appreciate the humanity in each other."

More than 100 people attended the short service, including more than one dozen public works employees, most wearing red, white and blue ribbons, in addition to town officials, Police Chief Bill Wrenn, former firefighter Tom Gillick, DPW Director John Hangen, Building Inspector Kevin Schultz; County Attorney Jim Reams, and uniformed police officers and firefighters.

At 10:28 a.m., the time the second World Trade tower collapsed, a second set of 5-5-5-5 bells rang and the flag was raised. Lipe noted that almost the exact the same ceremony was repeated at fire stations throughout the country.

Following the morning ceremony, more than a dozen Hampton firefighters traveled to Concord for a noon ceremony at the Statehouse.

Marelli Square

Just alter the ceremony at the fire station concluded, Fred Rice stepped up to a podium at the Marelli Square gazebo and, after a short introduction, began reading the names of some 3,000 identified victims of 9/11 in New York City, Washington D.C., and in Pennsylvania, including 10 victims from New Hampshire.

Fourteen local people - veterans as well as town officials and citizens - read the names throughout the day before a small group of transient spectators in front of the noise on Route 1 in front of the park. The gazebo was decorated only with an American Legion flag, an American flag, and a table with three helmets; representing police, fire and the military.

Following Rice, the names were recited through 5:30 p.m. by John Holman, John Hangen, Nikki Mouratidis, Bill Wrenn, Jamie Sullivan, Frank Swift, Dan Coughlin, Bill Bowley, Theresa McGinnis, Jon Rineman, Mike Carle, Roger Syphers, Mike O'Neil, Jim Reams, Steve Aslin, and Steve Arcier, while a dozen American flags blew in the breeze.

North Hampton

A candlelight vigil was held in North Hampton, at the bandstand, at 7 p.m., preceded by a short service at the United Church of Christ on Atlantic Avenue.

The North Hampton community band Good Vintage performed, North Hampton police and fire led the crowd in the pledge of allegiance, and Fred Muscara, Sgt. major, retired, spoke.

During the 20-minute ceremony, Rev. Michael Mulberry of the United Church of Christ gave the invocation and Rev. Garrett Lear of the Well of Living Water church closed the ceremonies.

The bandstand was lighted by 10 antique lamps just recently installed at the common.

Throughout the day, beginning at 8:46 am., the chimes at United Church of Christ tolled every hour at 46 minutes past the hour.

Hampton by candlelight

At 7 p.m., following individual services at several Hampton churches, a crowd estimated at over 100 people gathered - many walking from their respective churches - at Marelli Square for a brief candlelight vigil.

American Legion Commander Ralph Fatello introduced Legion member Dan Nersesian, who read the names of the 41 U.S. military, including 16 combat, personnel who have lost their lives in the war on terrorism since last Sept. 11.

Members of the clergy participating in the candlelight vigil included Rev. Deb Moulton of the Congregational Church, Pastor J.D. Minerella, and Pastor Brian Abasciano of the Faith Community Church.

The ceremony ended shortly before 8 p.m., as a scattered rain increased and a north wind picked up.

24-hour vigil

All day Wednesday into early Thursday, members of the American Legion stood a silent vigil at the gazebo. Throughout the night, in the wind and with temperatures dropping into the high 50s, they stood sentry.

Legion members taking sentry duty for 24 hours beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday included Bruce Aquizap, Ralph Fatello, Fred Rice, John Emery, Jim Cushman, Larry Poliquin, Karl Richardson Jr., Mike MacDonald, George Masten, Don Stebbins, Ed Walsh, John Mahoney, Joe Kutt, Brian Chevalier, James M. Reams and Dan Nersesian.

In memoriam

At Wednesday morning's ceremony at the Hampton Fire Station, former Chief Skip Sullivan announced that plans have been finalized to locate a permanent memorial to the victims of 9/11 at Station 2 on Winnacunnet Road.

"Shortly after Sept. 11 several safety people were approached with the idea of a permanent memorial, The front lawn at Station 2 was selected because it would get plenty of exposure," said Sullivan, noting the monument will be granite with a simple design and a bronze plaque.

Sullivan said the monument will probably be installed next spring, will honor all the victims of 9/11, and will be paid for by a Hampton family that prefers to remain anonymous.