By Geena Monahan—For The North Star Reporter
Hundreds of students, community members and first responders filled North Attleborough High School’s Beaupre Field on Thursday for a collaborative ceremony for those lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
In years past, separate ceremonies have been held at the high school and the 9/11 Memorial located in front of First Baptist Church. However, the town’s Veterans Services Department partnered with middle school teacher Todd Vigorito to bring both the community together to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks that occurred 24 years ago.
“Never forget — that’s the goal,” said Veterans Service Officer Scott Smith. “It’s important for the students to see state Rep. Adam Scalon, the police and fire departments, all come together to show how important it is to remember this date.”
Chisholm Agbanari, a senior at NAHS, kicked off the ceremony at 9:30 a.m. with a speech to the high school and middle school students in attendance on the sunny Thursday morning. Agbanari pointed out the American flags lining the fence of Beaupre Field, representing the lives lost in the attacks. She asked her fellow classmates to reflect on the families destroyed and lives lost on that day.
“We must remember not only the pain and the loss, but also the hope and strength that emerged from the ashes,” said Agbanari. “It’s a time to honor the lives that were tragically cut short, the families that have been changed forever, and the heroes that demonstrate what it truly means to serve others.”
The NAHS Choir led the crowd in the National Anthem before Ryan and Patrick Nassaney took to the podium to remember the life of their younger brother, Shawn Nassaney, and his girlfriend, Lynn Goodchild, who died en route to Hawaii when United Flight 175 was hijacked.
Ryan Nassaney, a North Attleborough resident with three children who grew up in town, spoke of the energy and love Shawn Nassaney and Goodchild brought to their many adventures before their lives were tragically cut short.
“That’s how we choose to remember them. Not by the way they died, but by the way they lived,” said Ryan Nassaney. “Through their story we’re reminded that in the face of loss, what endures is love.”
Patrick Nassaney stepped up to the podium to echo the words of his brother, remembering how Shawn Nassaney and Goodchild made everyone they met “feel like they were instant best friends,” and how they taught him to say “yes” to more opportunities in life.
A slideshow of pictures of Shawn Nassaney and Goodchild played on the scoreboard next to the brothers as they spoke.
“What matters most is how we carry the love, the memories and the lessons of those we’ve lost — how we choose to live in their honor,” said Ryan Nassaney.
Town Manager Michael Borg and staff from his office were in attendance as well, along with several town councilors. Members from the Disabled American Veterans and other local veteran groups sat in the front row for the ceremony, with a line of local firefighters and police officers in the background.
The ceremony wrapped up with “America the Beautiful,” sung by the NAHS choir, and members of the community were invited to join in a smaller ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial, located at the Baptist Church common.
A crowd of about 20 gathered to listen to Fire Chief Christopher Coleman give a speech in remembrance of not only the first responders who died on Sept. 11, 2001, but the hundreds more who have died from cancer and other illnesses related to the attacks.
A bell was rung in honor of the first responders who died, and Coleman spoke of the importance and tradition that the ringing of bells serves within the firefighter community. Attendees observed a moment of silence during the bell ringing before Assistant Fire Chief George McKinnon and Capt. Scott Maguire came to the podium to recite two prayers.
“We witnessed the worst of humanity, but in response, we also saw its very best,” said Coleman. “In the face of an unspeakable tragedy we stood together, united in our grief to support one another.”