40¢
70th Year, Issue No. 37 USPS 248-700
September 15-21, 2011 A General Circulation Newspaper Serving The Community Since 1942
SERVING BATH, CHAPMAN, NORTHAMPTON, NAZARETH BOROS; ALLEN, E. ALLEN, MOORE, LEHIGH, BUSHKILL, LOWER NAZARETH & UPPER NAZARETH TWPS.
9-11, a decade later, observed At local memorial ceremonies
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
REMEMBERANCES of 9/11 were given by Cong. Charlie Dent and former Asst. Secy. of Defense Paul McHale at Nazareth program.
VETERAN FIREFIGHTERS salute as CRPD provide honor guard for the colors. – Home News photos
The devastation of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that left thousands dead in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Somerset County, Pa., was still felt this past Sunday, on the tenth anniversary. Memorial tributes were paid across the nation. Two of them were in this area, at Nazareth High School and at the Hanover Township Community Center. More than 500 people gathered in Nazareth, where speakers Cong. Charlie Dent and former Congressman and Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul McHale told of their personal experiences that resulted from that tragic September day ten years ago. A large number of volunteer firefighters were present in uniform, and recognized for their heroism and willingness to sacrifice for the lives of others. Cong. Dent told the audience that a small group of men motivated by the fear of our way of life brought on the destruction that changed all of our lives forever. Thousands of people left home on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, never to return again, and as Cong. Dent said, “9-11 continues to shape the lives of every American.” He told the audience about his cousin, Steve McIntyre, who escaped from the 91st
Contract signed for $295,959 Park/streetscape project in Bath By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
A $295,959 contract has been awarded to Grace Industries, Inc. of East Allen Township for the Monocacy Creek Park / Streetscape Phase II project in the Borough of Bath. Council President Robert Fields said on Monday night that the contract was signed by him, sealed by the borough and then hand-delivered by
Borough Manager Richard Klotz to the Grace Industries office this past Friday, Sept. 9. This was done before Klotz apparently suffered a stroke, and who is now a patient in St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill. Grace Industries has 120 calendar days from Sept. 9 to complete the project. Fields said it consists of a walking trail, park benches, plants, trees, and lights from the park up to a house at the north-
floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower in New York City with 11 co-workers from the American Bureau of Shipping. American Airlines Flight 11 with 92 passengers on board smashed into floors 93-99, just two stories above McIntyre. “Terrorism knows no bounds,” Dent said, and from that terrible day new federal agencies have been born to deal with it. “There are still threats, but we are confident our first responders and Homeland Security are doing all they can. We have to deal with the threat, but there is hope as people are coming together,” Dent concluded. He introduced McHale, who told the audience, “On Sept. 11, liberty came under assault. Al-Quaida saw us as a threat, for we are fiercely committed to dissent, as every human being has the right to do so.” McHale said he was on I-78 enroute to Harrisburg when he heard the news of the planes crashing. A colonel in the Marine Reserves, he turned around and spent the next seven years preparing Marines for attack. He recounted the story of a reporter from the Easton Express, who wanted to join the Marines and serve his country at age 34. Bill Cahir went to Iraq twice, where there was indescribable fighting. Then, in Washington after he came back, he told McHale that he was going to Afghanistan with Marine Civil Affairs. A
sniper’s bullet ended his life on Aug. 12, 2009, at age 40. His wife had twins he never saw. “Those two little girls will never see their father, but they will be the beneficiary of his sacrifice” McHale said. He told the audience: “American men and women have displayed raw courage and sacrifice. Even if it takes a decade, we will pursue justice. Let us remember with reverence the 3,000 who died, and have respect for the men and women who are sacrificing for us today. May we resolutely commit ourselves to which they sacrifice themselves so much to protect liberty.” The program was led by Bill Brackbill, and included much good patriotic music by the Nazareth Community Band and Chorus, along with the Dream Kids. The Colonial Regional Police had a color guard, led by bagpipe major James Ruhf of Bethlehem. Long-time veteran firefighter and ambulance personnel were seated on stage. Brackbill recalled the flights that took off from Boston and Newark that ultimately crashed into buildings and into a field, with the loss of 265 passengers and thousands of others. He also introduced his sonin-law, James Scott, a Secret Service agent, who was at Sunday’s ceremony. It was he who pulled Vice President Dick Cheney away from Continued on page 10
east corner of W. Main St. & Northampton St. He has been meeting with the site engineer. In light of Klotz’s hospitalization, Council authorized Fields to obtain the manag- NAZARETH COMMUNITY CHORUS sang patriotic music. er’s computer surname and password from the provider in order to retrieve messages being sent to his e-mail designation, so that they may be addressed, forwarded and/or replied to in a timely manner. Other Matters • Councilman Mark Saginario, who serves as emergency management coordinator, said he submitted a report to the county on damages from the recent hurricane and tropical storm. Fire Chief Ed Demchak said that the fire NAZARETH COMMUNITY BAND played stirring rendition of Continued on page 7 patriotic songs.