Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 “Remember the day” Saugus Fire Dept. pauses for a few minutes of quiet reflection on the “9/11” terrorist attacks and the 3,000plus who perished that day By Mark E. Vogler S augus Fire Lt. Andrew McDermott – like most Americans who were of school age or older back on Sept. 11, 2001 – remembers the day as clearly as yesterday. “I was in the sixth grade at the Belmonte Middle School,” McDermott, a 2008 Saugus High School graduate, recalls of the tragic day when more than 3,000 lives were lost in four coordinated terrorist attacks involving jetliners that had been hijacked and used as weapons of mass destruction against America. “I remember a couple of kids talking about it at lunch. They released us early that day. Back then, it was hard for a kid to comprehend what was going on,” he said. McDermott was among a small group of firefighters who assembled last Saturday (Sept. 11) at 8:46 a.m. in front of Central Fire Station to pause and reflect on the events of that day which changed America. The firefighters were part of a low-key ceremony attended by just nine – five of them selectmen. “This ceremony we do is a great way to remind us and the people in this town that we must never forget what happened,” McDermott said in an interview after the ceremony. He was wearing a baseball cap that his dad, Kevin, a retired Saugus Fire Department lieutenant, got 19 years ago – during the first anniversary of “9/11.” The cap noted the numbers of New York City firefighters (343) and New York City police officers (23) who died that day at Ground Zero when the World Trade Center twin towers collapsed. Every year on the anniversary of ‘9/11” – even during last year’s COVID-19 pandemic – Saugus firefighters have gathered for a brief moment to honor the fallen heroes of that day, particularly the firefighters who perished while HATS OF HONOR: Saugus Fire Lts. Damian Drella and Andrew McDermott wore identical baseball caps after last Saturday’s 20th anniversary observance of the “9/11” terrorist attacks. Drella and McDermott’s dad, retired Fire Lt. Kevin McDermott, bought the hats 19 years ago during a “9/11” memorial they attended in New York City. trying to save the lives of others trapped in the World Trade Center Towers. “Younger guys like me will continue this tradition – believe me. When we put on the uniform, this is not something we take lightly. We will never forget our fallen heroes,” he said. McDermott had requested (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) “Kevin and I were among a group that were both down there in New York for a memorial service. And we bought the hats from a vendor. I try to wear it every year on the anniversary of ‘9/11.’ I don’t wear it that much; that’s why it’s still in pretty good shape,” Drella said. Drella had bell duty at SatRIGHT BY YOU that his dad bring him a commemorative theme hat from New York City if he had one. The older McDermott brought the hat he had picked up during the first anniversary of “9/11.” As it turned out, the hat was an exact match of the one worn on Saturday by Lt. Damian Drella, a close friend and former colleague of Lt. Kevin McDermott. Proud Sponsor of Boston’s Wounded Vet Run urday’s event. He sounded the bell on the front of one of the firetrucks. The four rounds of fives signaled that everyone had returned to quarters. The lower station flag was lowered to half-mast as the firefighters and small group bowed their heads in prayer for the fallen. Another round of REMEMBER THE DAY | SEE PAGE 17 At Everett Bank, we admire the men and women that protect and serve. It’s why we were so honored to have State Rep. Joe McGonagle and Jeanne Cristiano from the Everett Veteran’s Office join us when we gave a donation to Boston Wounded Vet Run Founder Andrew Biggio. www.EverettBank.com Member FDIC | Member DIF
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