I had been at work for less than an hour and was sitting at my desk in my cubicle at Hartwell Street.  I could not believe what was being reported on the Internet news sites: that an aircraft had flown into the World Trade Center in New York City.  “But it’s CAVU [Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited],” I kept saying to myself, “so it can’t possibly be true.”  Then the major news sites started crashing under heavy load.  We turned on the radio, and eventually I also found a news site in Spain that I could access (I read Spanish almost as well as I read English).  The first report turned out to be true, and the news kept getting worse as the day went on.

This all happened ten years ago.

This afternoon, I attended a program at Institute Park in Worcester: Mass Remembers 9/11 — Voices of Hope. It was a beautiful and moving ceremony.

Presentation of Colors, Worcester Police Department Color Guard

Worcester Fire Brigade Pipes & Drums

Star-Spangled Banner, Worcester Police Officer Thomas Hurley

Greetings, Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray

Recitation of the Names of Massachusetts Residents who Lost their Lives on 9/11/2001

Interfaith Invocation by Mazen Ramadan & Maleeha Sadozai, Rabbi Matthew Berger & Cantor Kim Singer, Anna Swartzentruber & Alana Kearney

“How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place” from Brahm’s German Requiem, conducted by Michelle Graveline

“In Remembrance” from Eleanor Daley’s Requiem, conducted by Malcolm Halliday

“Alleluia” by Randall Thompson, conducted by Michelle Graveline

“Ubi Caritas” by Paul Haley, conducted by John Delorey

“American Tears” by Teresa Jennings, conducted by Deb Rossmeisl

“America the Beautiful”  sung by choirs and audience

Bells Toll

I thought Tim Murray’s remarks were especially heart-felt and incisive.  If I can find a transcript on the web, I will link to the site.

The post title is the motto of the Province of Quebec and translates to “I remember.”