Both Connecticut U.S. Senators Join Wilton’s 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance [PHOTOS]

Both of Connecticut’s U.S. senators attended Wilton’s annual Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony Friday morning, marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks alongside residents, first responders and town officials.

Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal spoke during the ceremony at Wilton Fire Headquarters, where the community gathered to remember the 2,977 people killed on Sept. 11, 2001, including five Wilton residents: Edward T. Fergus Jr., Peter C. Fry, John Christopher Henwood, John F. Iskyan and Edward P. York.

Wilton Fire Chief Jim Blanchfield said the senators’ presence made this year’s observance especially meaningful.

“I think this year’s turnout — Wilton’s turnout is always exceptional — but to have the two Connecticut U.S. senators attend today just demonstrated how important they take 9/11 as well as the Wilton community,” Blanchfield told GOOD Morning Wilton. “So I think it showed today that Wilton comes together in these times. Wilton has not forgotten, and I couldn’t be more proud of the Wilton community today.”

Murphy noted that Connecticut was disproportionately affected by the attacks, with 161 state residents among those killed. Speaking as both a senator and the father of two children born after Sept. 11, he said younger generations should understand the sacrifices required to keep the country safe.

“I want my kids to grow up in a world in which no one takes for granted the sacrifice that is made by those that protect us at home and those that protect us overseas,” Murphy said.

He also urged Americans to remember how people responded after the attacks by serving, volunteering, donating and supporting one another.

“We are at our best as a nation when we are not just thinking about ourselves, but we are thinking about others,” Murphy said.

Blumenthal similarly called for remembrance to extend beyond words.

“We have not just the duty to talk, but the duty to act,” he said, pointing to continued responsibilities to support the World Trade Center Health Program, victims’ families, first responders and veterans.

Afterward, Blumenthal told GMW why attending Wilton’s observance was important to him.

“This part of our state was really hit hard, and it’s very personal to all of us in the lives lost that day, but also in the impact afterward,” he said.

Asked what younger generations should understand, Blumenthal said, “Your lives are different because of 9/11,” adding, “We can make our nation safer without making it a fortress.”

Blanchfield called “never forget” a promise rather than a slogan. Second Selectman Ross Tartell spoke about the five Wilton victims’ personal connections to the community and the example set by first responders who moved toward danger to help strangers.

The ceremony also included remarks from retired Wilton Fire Capt. Kevin Czarnecki, Fire Commissioner Jim Pickering, Police Chief Thomas Conlan and Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps past president Tom Gunther. The American Legion Post 86 conducted a flag-lowering tribute, followed by a moment of silence.

Wilton High School students Isabella Oehley and Yana Stanicheva closed the observance by singing “America the Beautiful.”