'Grief does not keep a calendar': Meredith unveils 9/11 memorial on 25th anniversary

MEREDITH — Dozens gathered to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and this year the town went above and beyond by unveiling a new monument at the fire station, to honor the 2,977 souls who died that day.

Much like Friday, it was a beautiful morning 25 years ago, with summer winding down and the feeling of fall settling in the air. Most school children were settling into their first classes of the day, and adults were either getting ready for work or already there.

What seemed like a regular morning in September changed in an instant, when reports started coming in about a plane hitting one of the World Trade Center towers. The moments that followed were unthinkable, with a second plane careening into the second tower, as many around the country were watching on live television. It was unclear what was happening at first, but one thing is now certain: life was changing dramatically, and would continue to be over the next 25 years.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) joined a group of Meredith firefighters and police personnel as well as town leaders Friday morning, in a procession from the fire station to Hesky Park. Waiting for them were more than 100 people, who proudly paid tribute to those who died that day.

Pat Kelly was master of ceremonies for the event, which started with American Legion Commander John Dever leading the Pledge of Allegiance, and Meredith Fire Chaplain Andy Daigneau offering an invocation.

Meredith Fire Chief Engineer Hank Denison rung a bell for the ceremonial “Striking of the Four Fives,” a fire service tradition memorializing a firefighter who died in the line of duty.

After Karen Ludwick and Vanessa Bushell sang "The Star-Spangled Banner,” with members of the crowd holding their hand over their heart or saluting, Ayotte took to the podium to speak about the terrorist attacks and a plea to “never forget.”

Ayotte noted 10 people from New Hampshire died in the terrorist attacks. Jennifer Fialko, a summer resident of Meredith, was working on the 92nd floor of the South Tower, and didn’t make it out of the building alive. Her brother, Andrew Fialko, was in attendance, and would later take part in the unveiling ceremony for the new memorial.

“Today, we remember Jennifer, and we remember every life we lost on Sept. 11,” Ayotte said.

Ayotte remembers where she was when the attacks took place, as she just celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with her husband, Joe. They were on their honeymoon, and Joe just finished active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He was supposed to start training to become a commercial pilot at American Airlines right after the honeymoon. Instead, they came home, and he was deployed to the Middle East.

Ayotte said nobody will forget what happened, and she continually thinks of the heroic work put in by first responders, the firefighters, police, and other emergency personnel. Some ran into burning buildings, showing the “very, very best of America on one of our absolute worst days.”

She recalled the bravery and courage of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, who reportedly heard their plane was heading toward Washington, D.C. They said, “let’s roll,” and took on the terrorists themselves to ensure the capital’s safety.

“They gave their lives to make sure that they could protect the capital of our country,” Ayotte said. “So much bravery, so much courage that day. The terrorists thought that they would bring us to our knees, and the opposite happened. What we saw from 9/11 is the resolution of America, our strength and also our unity.”

Ayotte thanked everyone who defended freedom through the War on Terror.

Ayotte said those 30 years old and older likely recall exactly where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, and it is up to older Americans to ensure the younger generation understands what happened.

“Anyone under the age of 30 doesn’t have that same memory that each and every one of us has about where we were on 9/11, so it is very important that our younger generation remember and understand what happened there,” Ayotte said. “And also take the great lessons of 9/11, which is that nothing will stop America, that we are strong, and what unites us as Americans is so much greater than what divides us.”

Ayotte said unity is a great message from the Sept. 11 attacks, remembering how much everyone came together in the days that followed. She said having a new memorial in town was fitting and relatable to that unity.

“The fire chief told me that the community stepped up, the donations poured in, when the fire department announced they wanted to do a 9/11 memorial,” Ayotte said. “This memorial is very special.”

Ayotte said the memorial represents the best of Meredith, coming together to remember those who died, while standing for the greatness of the town, the state and the country.

Fire Chief Ken Jones took the podium for remarks. He started by commenting on the amazing turnout.

“It’s amazing that Meredith has come together, and this many people are here,” Jones said. “Truly remarkable.”

Jones looked back on Sept. 11, 2001, saying nobody needs a history book to tell them what happened.

“We remember,” Jones said. “We remember where we were. We remember the phone calls. We remember what we saw on television. We remember the confusion. We remember the fear. And we remember watching brave men and women run towards danger, as most of us could barely comprehend.”

This included firefighters, police, paramedics, EMTS, dispatchers, military personnel and even ordinary citizens who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

“They didn’t have time to think about where they were heroes; they simply responded,” Jones said.

Jones said 25 years later, the 2,977 people who died are still remembered. He made it clear each of them is not just a number. Each had a name, a family, a story, and people who loved and cared for them.

“They were people who woke up that morning expecting to come home that night,” Jones said. “They never did. And for their family, Sept. 11 never truly ended. Twenty-five years may have passed, but grief does not keep a calendar.”

He paid tribute to those in the New York City Fire Department, many of whom responded to the World Trade Center knowing people were inside and needed help. They climbed floor after floor, carrying equipment, helping civilians, and searched for the missing.

“On that day, 343 FDNY firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives while doing what they were sworn to do: protect others and save lives.”

He also recognized those who died at the Pentagon, including 184 people on board American Airlines Flight 77. Jones then spoke of the bravery of those on United Flight 93, saying while the 40 passengers died, they stood together, and fought back to save countless lives.

“Here in Meredith, 25 years later, we bring these stories together in one remembrance,” Jones said. “Because every life matters. Every sacrifice matters. Every name deserves to be remembered.”

Police Chief Michael Harper said Sept. 11 changed the nation and touched every community. While 25 years have passed, for many, memories remain vivid. He remembers the shock, grief, and uncertainty.

“Most importantly, we remember the courage,” Harper said. “On that day, ordinary Americans became extraordinary heroes. Police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and countless civilians ran towards danger when every instinct told them to run away.” They acted with selflessness, determination, and unwavering commitment to protecting others.

After the ceremony closed at Hesky Park, a procession now including about 100 members made its way back to the fire station. Gary Pariseau, chair of the 9/11 Memorial Committee and the town’s fire inspector, thanked Miracle Gardens for creating a memorial garden that went above and beyond expectations. This is just the beginning, he said, as other phases involveg spotlights on the towers, and blue and red lights to signify the police and fire services to be added.

The memorial had a red, white, and blue bunting over it. Pariseau called up Ayotte, Harper, Jones, and Town Manager Judie Milner to unveil the monument, and reveal the granite replicas of the World Trade Center towers. Fialko laid a wreath at its base, and after the ceremony ended, community members paid homage to those died in the attacks.

Jones also left the crowd with inspirational remarks.

“One thing that we really need to do, we all need to come together,” Jones said. “We all need to support one another. We all need to forget about our differences and join forces. When we’re a team, and when one, we’ll accomplish more than we will divided.”