MOUNT CARMEL - What a contrast it was to have traffic blocked Sunday for celebration and remembrance rather than overflowing rivers and creeks that have been plaguing Northumberland County since last week.
Brightly colored, classic and antique cars drove from Shamokin to Mount Carmel Sunday as part of "The Drive to Keep the Memory Alive" to show patriotic support for the Sept. 11 victims of New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., and to show support for the ones who have served and are presently serving the country in the armed forces and volunteer services.
Mount Carmel Fire Police Lt. Harry Zerbe, who was driving his blue 1964 Chevy Impala Supersport in the cruise, lived near the World Trade Center on the days terrorists flew planes into the buildings, and it brought back damaged memories of the Vietnam War in which he served.
"I've seen war, I've seen terror. People don't realize the reality of it," he said on Oak Street with the cars lined up and before the 9/11 ceremony at Clover Hose Fire Company.
Eventually, living in the city became too much to handle and Zerbe moved to Mount Carmel near the end of 2011. He has worked with the fire police for eight years.
During the ceremony, Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones spoke, listing off the statistics of those who died that day.
"On behalf of council and all our citizens, we thank the Clover Hose Fire Company, clergy, veterans and other emergency personnel for gathering us all together today to pause and think about what was lost," he said. "Yet on this day, we should also remember others we have lost over the years to this struggle."
Jones said they gathered there to remember who was lost, not just on that September day, but before and after.
"We're still free because of the sacrifices of so many. We will never forget those that were lost. We will never forget those who gave themselves," he said.
Former state Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr.'s emotions of the events 10 years later are still just as strong.
"Some of you may forgive, some of you may forget, but that not in my heart," he said in his speech.
He said he couldn't believe that a decade has already passed since that day - that it feels like it was only last year.
He also noted that there have been major terrorists attacks on American soil since, and he commended the FBI, CIA, NSA and other organizations as well as individual citizens for this.
To the offenders, he said they have tried to put a dent into the economy, but they would never put a dent in "our spirit."
"Ten years later, the American spirit is as high as I've ever seen it," he said.
He mentioned the killing of Osama bin Laden earlier this year by Navy Seals as well.
"We didn't have to wait for God. The US Navy Seals too care of that," he said.
The Sunday event was hosted by the Clover Hose Company and started in Shamokin. In the city, the cruise lined up at 1 p.m. on Independence Street in Shamokin and began moving at approximately 2:30 on Route 61 into Mount Carmel.
The vehicles parked on Oak Street prior to the 5 p.m. memorial parade. The parade was led by the joint veterans honor guard and the Mount Carmel Area High School Band. Also part of the parade were rescue personal from Mount Carmel Fire Police, Mount Carmel Borough Police Department, American Hose and Chemical Fire Company, Mount Carmel Area Rescue Squad, Anthracite Steam Fire Company, Wilburton Hose Company, Strong Fire Company, Marion Heights Fire Company and Atlas Fire Company.
County Commissioner Frank Sawicki and Ashland Fire Chief Phil Groody also spoke during the ceremony.
Although Shamokin Fire Department was a co-sponsor of the event, they were not represented because Shamokin is still in a state of emergency from last week's flooding.