Eldersville 9/11 service recognizes those who died
Kathie O. Warco/Observer-Reporter Boy Scout Troop 1396 raises a flag flown at Ground Zero at Veterans Memorial in Eldersville.
Kathie O. Warco/Observer-Reporter Larry Luba of Canonsburg and Bella, members of Allegheny Mountain Rescue, stand at services recognizing working dogs of 9/11 in Eldersville Sunday.
Kathie O. Warco/Observer-Reporter Weirton police Officer Jeff Miller with Officer Scott Cook’s partner, Max, a 2-year-old German Shepherd
Kathie O. Warco/Observer-Reporter Weirton police Officer Jeff Miller with Officer Scott Cook’s partner, Max, a 2-year-old German Shepherd
They were at ground zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 terroristic attacks because they knew they had a job to do.
While the K-9 working dogs did not comprehend the ramifications of what happened to the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, with the terroristic attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C.. and Shanksville, they served along with their human partners searching for victims or the remains of those killed. And other dogs served as therapy animals, providing comfort to those grieving a loss.
The service, organized each year by Diane Huggins of Eldersville, on Sunday recognized not only those who lost their lives but the working dogs of 9/11. Through her work with American 911 Quilts Project, Huggins started writing poems to be put in books at the 9/11 Memorial. She became acquainted with retired Lt. David W. Lim of the Port Authority police. His K-9 partner, Sirius, was the only dog in the World Trade Center that day. After feeling the building tremble, he went to investigate, putting his partner in his kennel in the South Tower and vowing to return. Lim was injured in the collapse of the North Tower. Sirius’ remains were found more than a year later in what had been the South Tower. He was ceremoniously removed from ground zero with full honor guard.
“I’ve seen what the K-9s can do in New York,” Huggins. “I know they performed a vital service.
“The therapy dogs did wonders with the families,” she said. “More than 300 K-9s searched for survivors and victims. Some belonged to volunteers, others did not. But they were invaluable to the recovery process.”
Huggins said another 40 K-9 teams worked at the Pentagon.
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, said it is hard to believe it has been 15 years since the worst terrorist attack in the United States that led to the deaths of thousands of people including 71 police officers and 353 firefighters.
Bartolotta said rescue dogs including Bretagne, the last known surviving search and rescue dog from 9/11 who was euthanized earlier this year, came from across the country to help, spending hours each day over the period of several days looking for those trapped in the rubble.
“We treat our four-legged heroes just like our two-legged ones,” the senator said. “We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”
Members of the Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group brought their dogs that are trained to look for lost or missing people.
“This can be hikers, Scouts or hunters or adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said Matt Benson, executive director of the group, adding they go out at the requests of police or fire departments. Last year, the 35-member team went on 30 searches.
It takes two years to train a team, he added.
“It is a big sacrifice and personal commitment,” Benson said. “But when you add a dog to a search team, that team becomes stronger.”
K-9 Officer Jeff Miller of the Weirton, W.Va., police department, who was there with fellow K-9 Officer Scott Cook and his 2-year-old German shepherd, Max, said dogs have been known to track for miles. He recalled one search with his dog, Paco.
“I thought he was taking me for a long walk through the woods and was about ready to give up, but about 50 yards away he spotted who we were looking for,” Miller said. “We’ll give up before the dog does. It is a special bond with a dog. They are amazing
creatures.”
They also provide much needed solace. Pauline Maismeier, a Red Cross volunteer, recalled talking with a volunteer working with a grandmother and her 4-year-old grandson, in New York about six weeks after 9/11. She said the boy had lost his mother and had not spoken since being told about her death.
“She saw a therapy dog and called it over,” Maismeier related. “The boy started petting the dog. After awhile, he started talking to it. It was the first time he had spoken.”
Bartolotta said we also need to reflect on what was lost that day and recognize the heroes who showed courage.
“The terrorists failed,” she said. “It tells the story of a nation that stood firm. The Pentagon has been rebuilt and the new Freedom Tower soars above the New York skyline.”