Posted on Sun, Sep. 11, 2011
At first, the atmosphere at the Garden of Reflection in Bucks County was almost festive, as 800 people streamed into the five-acre memorial on Saturday night.
Parents wheeled strollers and carried little ones, couples led dogs on leashes, bikers parked their rides. Commemorative T-shirts and polo shirts were on sale, and foot-long candles were handed to each man, woman, and child.
But from the moment the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts presented the colors, silence settled over the garden.
All had converged there in Lower Makefield Township for a most solemn purpose: to remember and honor not only the 18 Bucks Countians who died in the terrorist attacks 10 years ago Sunday, but all 2,973 victims.
It was to be a simple candlelight vigil - no speakers, just prayers, readings, anthems, and patriotic songs. As the program described it, "a chance to pray for a loved one, but more practically to show they are never alone."
Handmade hearts, one for each victim and decorated by schoolchildren, fluttered in the breeze around the meticulously groomed grounds, designated by the Pennsylvania legislature as the state's official Sept. 11 memorial. Off to the side, two temporary Walls of Remembrance resembling the twin towers stood covered in messages.
Overhead, the remaining rays of sunlight defused what otherwise looked like the foreboding rain clouds that had drenched the area only days before. A near-full moon appeared like a spotlight set up just for the occasion.
A retired teacher from Maine who had erected 2,973 American flags stood in the crowd. So did M.B. Kanis, a former special officer in Camden with K9 Pace and K9 Search, veterans of the first days at ground zero. Ellen Saracini, the founding force behind the garden and the widow of Victor Saracini, pilot of the second jet that crashed into the World Trade Center, also joined the throng.
No cheering followed "The Star Spangled Banner," and hands covered hearts solemnly for the Pledge of Allegiance.
"We gather together as friends, families, and neighbors on this night of remembrance," said Carrie Weatherby, chaplain of the Washington Crossing chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. "We gather together tonight to honor those who were lost on that September day 10 years ago, and those who have emerged from the chaos to be with us today, and those who fight to preserve and protect our country from future harm."
Michelle Lewicki, first vice regent of the DAR chapter, added, "May this service strengthen the faith of the families of the ones listed here in this Garden of Reflection, and to all here today, and the generations yet to come."
As soloist Jennine Babo sang "God Bless America," candles were lighted throughout the crowd, creating a wave of flickering light. They remained lit through two readings.
The candles, made by volunteers in the basement of garden board member Skip Gittens' home over the last few months, were raised over heads in unison as Babo brought the ceremony to a dramatic denouement with a powerful performance of "True American."
Any other place, any other time, the crowd would have erupted into a roar. Instead, there was only silence, punctuated by the chattering of children, providing perspective.
Noses sniffled, eyes were wiped, and adults caught their breath.
The printed program read: "Please join us to light a candle . . . say a prayer . . . and remember."
That night, they did.
Contact staff writer Bill Reed at 215-801-2964, wreed@philly.com, or @breedbucks on Twitter.
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