Friday morning in Jim Thorpe had the same peaceful aura as the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. That tranquil start to the day 20 years ago didn’t last long as terrorists used passenger planes to crash into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and into a field in Shanksville.

On Friday, more than 150 people attended a memorial service in the Josiah White Park in Jim Thorpe. The event, coordinated by the Carbon County Veterans Affairs office, featured speakers, solo selections, and participation by at least three dozen representatives of veterans groups from throughout the region.

The main speaker was Ret. Major Gerald New, former ROTC instructor at Panther Valley High School and now the ROTC instructor at Wilson West Lawn High School. New said when the 9/11 attacks occurred, he was stationed with the military in Korea.

In his talk, he began by reciting the initial emergency personnel dispatch in Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001, and noting that President George W. Bush followed it by signing a bill designating Sept. 11 as “Patriot Day.”

He quoted Webster’s definition of a patriot as a person “who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.”

He said, “As a result of the events, I along with many millions of people saw the face of the American Patriot taking shape.”

He said patriots assisted on 9/11, including firefighters “racing up the burning towers, leading people down smoke-filled stairwells to safety, or reassuring others who were trapped waiting for help to arrive.”

New asked the attendees, “In the 20 years, we have to ask ourselves: Are we living the legacy of servant leadership demonstrated by the many patriots of 9/11? Are we doing everything we can to improve our communities, families and workplaces? Or are we creating division within our communities by watching from the sidelines hoping things change?”

“We have a challenge to build stronger communities by replacing hate with kindness, selfishness with selfless service, and building stronger communities and families.”

Christine LeClair, director of Carbon County Veterans Affairs, was master of ceremonies.

Other speakers were state Rep. Doyle Heffley; Brad Hurley on behalf of state Sen. John T. Yudichak, Tom Gerhard representing the office of Congressman Dan Meuser; and Carbon County Commissioners Rocky Ahner and Chris Lukasevich.

Heffley said that when the terrorist attacks occurred, the country came together. He said 20 years later, “our country has seemed to have lost its way.”

“It’s the challenge 20 years later to remember the unity we had then as a nation,” he said.

Heffley said when the attacks occurred, it wasn’t a specific race that was targeted but America in general.

Hurley said, “On Sept. 11, 2001, not only was the skyline of New York City changed forever, but so was the skyline of the United States.”

He used a sports analogy, saying how when things get tough, it’s important not to quit. “I don’t think there’s a better comeback story than our country,” he said.

Hurley said, “Little communities like this ... we all come together in a time of need.”

“Take time to talk to your kids,” he said. Talk to your family about Sept. 11. Don’t ever forget.”

Jeanette Richards sang the Star Spangled Banner and led the audience in the singing of “God Bless America.”

The hymn “Amazing Grace” was played by Eric Flowers, band director at Jim Thorpe High School.