Community Corner
Marple Township Pays Tribute To Patriot Day
Marple Township officials, veterans, boy scouts, first responders and special guests participate in the township's 10th anniversary memorial service of Sept. 11, 2001.
BROOMALL– off of Lawrence Road in Broomall was the site of 's Patriot Day memorial service in remembrance of 9/11.
Joe Talento of Marple's Boy Scouts Troop #122 helped spearhead the event bringing together the Cradle of Liberty Council–a Boy Scouts of American council consisting of Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties' troops–to host the 10th anniversary memorial service on Sunday.
Though a majority of the troops present represented Marple boy scouts, a handful of other scouts represented various neighboring troops from Havertown and Springfield to as far as Clifton Heights.
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A special guest appearance was made by Nikki Horrocks, a Media resident and the niece of Michael Horrocks, who was the pilot of United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane that crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Friends with the , Horrocks was accompanied by Honor Guard Michael Gardane of the Broomall Fire Co., during the cereomny. Horrocks rang the bell during Marple's memorial service in memory of her uncle as well as the thousands who perished on that fateful day.
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If her uncle could see her now, Horrocks shared, "I think he'd probably be smiling and if he could, he'd probably be holding my hand."
Instead of mourning their loss, Horrocks said the family has taken Sept. 11 as a day of celebrating her uncle's life.
"Every year we choose to celebrate his life than mourning," said Horrocks. "This year is much more special to me and I'm honored to have participated in this ceremony."
Keynote speakers included Marple Commissioners President Michael Molinaro, Broomall Fire Chief Carl Drake, Marple Newtown Veterans Alliance Commander Barry Reese, County Council Chairman John Whelan, Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America Commissioner Steve Perrone and Quality Unit Executive BettyAnn Atkinson as well as a prayer and benediction given by Rev. Kenneth Gelzheiser of .
Cheryl A. Koch also performed a violin solo during the ceremony as well as members of Marple Newtown's Veterans Alliance Rifle and Color guards.
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