Milton remembers 20th anniversary of 9/11

The town of Milton came together Sept. 11 in Milton Memorial Park to remember and reflect on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The hour-long ceremony drew a substantial crowd to the park; the line stretched from the middle of the park to the entrance for attendees to place a flag or flowers at the table where firefighter, police and emergency medical services gear was arranged with a special flag of honor containing the names of all the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks.

The event began with the flag raising by Commander Hank Rickards of VFW Post 6984, Alan Jackson of Milton Fire Department, Milton Police Chief Derrick Harvey and Milton EMS Supervisor Ed Van Vorst. 

The ceremony also featured guest speakers who had personal connections to 9/11, such as former Secret Service agent Frank Powers, who was at the White House the day of the attacks; Washington, D.C. resident Catheryne Brown, who described the attack on the Pentagon; and Brigadier Gen. Kenneth Halton of the Delaware National Guard, who reflected on the guard’s role in national security and defense.

The event emcee was Milton Fire Chief Johnny Hopkins, and speaking on behalf of the town was Councilman Sam Garde, a Navy veteran. 

Following a moment of silence and the playing of “Taps,” Harvey, Jackson and Van Vorst boarded a Lewes Fire Department rescue boat and each laid a wreath on the Broadkill River, representing three branches of first responders: police, firefighters and EMS personnel.  

The ceremony ended with a performance of “Amazing Grace” by the Delaware State Police Pipes and Drums unit.