Select Board members, school administrators, first responders and dozens of Swampscott residents congregated Friday morning to remember the lives that were lost a quarter-century ago in the September 11 attacks.
A remembrance ceremony was held outside of the Swampscott Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Graham Archer. Over two dozen Swampscott first responders stood together before the crowd for the duration of the ceremony.
After Swampscott High School Junior Kira Madrugo kicked off the event with a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, a firefighter rang a bell 20 times, in four sets of five.
“May these tolls tell us to remember every life lost and every person that answered the call,” said Archer.
“Striking the Four Fives” is a tradition of firefighters around the country to honor and remember firefighters who died in the line of duty.
“The ringing of the bells offers a simple but powerful tribute, a moment to remember their courage, their sacrifice and the enduring promise that we will never forget,” read a promotional flyer for the event produced by the town.
Archer discussed the way the 9/11 attacks were felt directly in Swampscott, reading off names of residents who died that day and in the combat that followed.
“Here in Swampscott, the loss came in waves,” said Archer. “It began with the death of Robert Jalbert who was aboard United Airlines Flight 175. Robert was a husband, marine reservist, skilled salesman, traveller, a man remembered by co-workers for the joy he brought into a room.”
Archer then honored the lives of journalist Michael Kelly, U.S. Army Specialists Jared Raymond and Justin Morris, U.S. Marine Corps Captain Jennifer Harris and retired Swampscott Fire Lt. Ed Seligman, all of whom are late Swampscott residents or natives who died in combat or served the Swampscott community.
“These names are part of Swampscott’s story, but they do not belong only to history,” said Archer. “They belong to the families who still feel the empty chair, friends who still hear their familiar laugh and the community that has an obligation to remember them as people.”
Archer said the words “Never Forget” are often repeated, but they should mean more than remembering the images of destruction.
“They should mean remembering the lives that were lived,” he said. “Supporting those that still bear the wounds and teaching those who were not yet born.”
Archer said last year marked the first time someone born after 9/11 was hired at the Fire Department, which reminded him that the memory of the attacks is being passed into new hands.
After the ceremony, attendees and first responders shared refreshments and conversation at the station as they continued to remember those who lost their lives on and after 9/11.
