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SALEM -- Never forget -- powerful words for a powerful event planned for 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at the KSU City Center to remember 9/11 20 years later.
For anyone old enough to recall that day in 2001, the images appeared unimaginable as terror descended on New York, the Pentagon in D.C. and a field in western Pennsylvania.
This was no movie -- this was happening in America.
Never forget is the powerful message members of Perry Lodge 185 Free & Accepted Masons in Salem want to impart as hosts for the upcoming program which will feature David Beamer as one of the speakers.
Beamer's son, Todd, died a hero on 9/11 after Flight 93 crashed into that field near Shanksville when he and other passengers fought back against the terrorists, causing them to crash the plane before reaching the intended target in Washington, D.C. Todd could be heard by a telephone operator saying, "Okay. Let's roll."
According to Perry Lodge member Steve Faber, who's also a Salem city councilman, Todd's parents, David and Peggy Beamer, graduated from nearby Sebring McKinley High School and David was born in Salem. He'll be speaking on "9/11...Plus 20...what's next?"
Perry Lodge member Michael Caldwell, lead organizer for the remembrance, said he spoke with Beamer on the phone.
"He said we need events like this to remind us of the unity we had after 9/11," Caldwell recalled.
Faber said it's all about honoring the promise to never forget and to also educate the generation that may be too young to remember or weren't even born yet about what the country went through and the unity that resulted.
"We as a country collectively said we will never forget. I say to honor that, we've got to educate the younger ones," Faber said.
Steve Clark, director of the Flight 93 Memorial through the National Park Service, is the keynote speaker. He originally planned to speak in person, but due to Covid-19, will be joining the event virtually to talk about the memorial which is a two and a half hour drive from the Salem area.
Capt. Jerry Sillcocks, of the New York Fire Department, will share his experiences from 9/11 in the speech "6 seconds to decide."
Caldwell will serve as master of ceremonies, with Rev. Dan Hardy, president of Allegheny Wesleyan College delivering the opening prayer, state Rep. Tim Ginter, R-Salem, doing a scripture reading and moment of silence, and Rev. Frank Zugaro, pastor of Damascus United Methodist Church, giving the benediction.
Paige Whitehill will sing the National Anthem and Josiah Haas will sing "God Bless the USA." In a special video presentation with permission from Derik Nelson, Caldwell said the 9/11 Tribute Song "Phone Call" by Nelson will be played, too.
As the 20th anniversary since 9/11 approaches, Faber said "we feel very strongly about the lives that were lost and the fact that we want to remember. It instills in us that we don't want it to ever happen again."
He said "we all remember where we were. We all have significant events in our lives. This is America's event."
Caldwell was 11 years old on 9/11, but said "even though I'm young, I do remember where I was."
He and his friends were in social studies class and they were told something major happened and were sent home. A year later, his family traveled to New York City and the Pentagon.
"We got to see the steel beams that formed the cross in the rubble of Ground Zero," he said.
He also saw videos and news clippings in the visitation center at the Pentagon which "kind of made you relive it."
Coming from a strong military family and being in public safety himself as an EMT kind of adds to the impact.
Prior to the remembrance at the KSU City Center, another event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 28 both inside and outside the Salem Memorial Building to recognize the different organizations and first responders who help at disasters and tragic events.
Some of the planned participants include Salem Boy Scout Troop 3 regarding survival skills and using interactive displays, the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office, the organization known as Trail Life with outside activities for kids, Salem Police K-9s, the Salem Fire Department and the Salvation Army. There will be face painting and food trucks, too.
Faber and Caldwell said they would like to see members of the community attend both events that day -- to honor the responders and remember the fallen.