First Responders Honored in Penn. in Cusp of 9/11 Anniversary

Sept. 10--Edward Mann remembers the rush of goodwill after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and how the recognition and appreciation for first responders became a nationwide ethos.

But 13 years later, as he attends services honoring first responders around this time of year, Mann said the crowds are getting smaller and smaller, and that goodwill is more scarce.

"A lot of people have forgotten about those moments of unity," said Mann, Pennsylvania state fire commissioner, "those promises we made to ourselves to make a change, whatever that change might be."

"For everyone that's here tonight, as long as there are people like you, we won't forget."

On Tuesday, a crowd of about 150 first responders, their families and community members headed to a memorial service honoring first responders at Conrad Weiser Middle School in Heidelberg Township.

The Rev. Kenneth P. Wiest, pastor of Trinity Evangelical Fellowship Church, said the second annual service served as a memorial for the first responders who had died and a dedication of support to those currently serving.

He said sometimes it takes a "calamity" to get people to realize how precious life can be.

"Deep inside of all of us there is a subconscious awareness that our lives are rather precarious," Wiest said. "But when we live through a calamity-free period of time, we begin to take time as being granted to us, and we take life to be a granted thing."

Alecia Pagerly said she did not feel like she belonged on the stage with the various first responders, but the other speakers emphasized they were proud to be there with her.

Her husband Kyle, a Berks County Deputy Sheriff, was killed in the line of duty in 2011.

She said Kyle's love and commitment to service was one of the many things she loved about him. When first responders die in the line of duty they become defined by what happened on their last day.

She said they should be remembered for how they lived.

"These men and women are heroes for what they do everyday, for how they live their lives," she said.

It's the community's obligation to recognize the service of first responders, said Bill Lillington, deputy director of the Eastern PA EMSCouncil.

"We can't forget," Lillington said. "This event is a testimonial to that statement. It's a great program, and I wish we'd see more of it."

Those in attendance, such as Pam and John Seiger of Robesonia and their neighbor Gaye Kiebach, agreed, saying they wished even more people had come out in support.

"I thought this was very touching and respectful," Kiebach said. "The world needs reminders."

Kindall Wann was one of a few speakers who fought back tears during the service.

He dedicated The Fireman's Prayer to two area firefighters who passed away this year: Ronald E. "Moose" Wentzel Jr. and Robert Sweigart.

"Rest easy brothers," said Wann, a firefighter with the Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company. "We'll see you someday."

Contact Matthew Nojiri: 610-371-5062 or mnojiri@readingeagle.com.

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