Ellen Saracini, in the pouring
rain and stormy winds, stared into
the distance, remembering the
horrific events that took place just
eight years ago.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Ellen lost her
husband. Victor Saracini piloted
United Airlines Flight 175, the
plane that terrorists seized and
flew into the south tower of the
World Trade Center.
Friday, Sept. 11 marked the
eighth anniversary of the terrorist
attacks. At The Garden of Reflection
park in Lower Makefield, a
memorial service was conducted.
Ellen Saracini, along with others,
gathered at the memorial to remember
those lost, in particular
the 18 victims from Bucks
County.
“We are here to celebrate the
lives lost,” Saracini said during
the service. A resident of Lower
Makefield, Saracini was a driving
force in creating The Garden of
Reflection park to honor her husband
and the Bucks county residents
killed in the attacks.
She and family members of five
other victims created the memorial
with the idea that one can
enter with a feeling of sorrow and
grief, but leave the memorial with
a feeling of peace and serenity.
Saracini was gratified to see the
community come together despite
the rainy weather. “We are here to
share the day that affected us
greatly,” she said.
As teeming rains and blustery
winds swept over the memorial,
the decision was made to postpone
the morning services. Despite
the delay, a crowd gathered
at the site to remember the tragic
events.
The ceremonies commenced at
1 p.m. under similar weather
conditions. An American flag
became quickly drenched as it
was slowly raised to half-staff
at the entrance of The Garden
of Reflection to begin
the memorial service.
Saracini and the crowd then
gathered in singing “God Bless
America” at the front plaza. Upon
the song’s conclusion, Rabbi Brad
Hoffman from the Willow Grove
Airbase gave a speech that put an
emphasis on the acceptance of our
country’s own diversity.
Following the speech, everyone
was asked to move to the two
grounded plaques commemorating
the lives lost and those who
donated to the building of the memorial.
There is a twin fountain
placed in front of the 18 Bucks
County victims’ names inscribed
on the glass plaques.
The names were read one-by-one
as a family member
placed a single red rose atop
each name. If a family member
was unable to attend, Saracini
laid the rose in the victim’s honor.
To conclude, Saracini and others
laid a wreath in front of a large
piece of steel recovered from
Ground Zero. There was a moment
of silence, which marked the
end of the day’s ceremonies.
For those at The Garden of Reflection,
inclement weather could
not deter them from remembering
the events of eight years ago.
“It still hurts; our lives were
changed,” Philadelphia resident
Kathy Cushing said.
Cushing’s husband saw his private
jet business go under after the
attacks, due to flight restrictions.
He then moved to Florida, ending
the marriage. Cushing didn’t lose
any family members on September
11th, 2001, but she felt that the
horrible events affected everyone
in many different ways.
The Garden of Reflection is located
off of Woodside Road.