Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

People have been sharing on our Facebook page about what they were doing on this day 13 years ago. Ellen Bunnell of Bradford had relatives both in New York City and near Shanksville. One of her sons was on an ambulance crew in New York. Another son’s fiancé was a nurse in Johnstown, and was placed on a medical crew to head for Shanksville. If you would like to share your stories and memories you can go to facebook.com/1490wesb . On this day St. Bonaventure University remembers its three alumni who were killed that day. Among those was Father Mychael Judge, the first official emergency responder fatality. Then-New York City Mayor Rudy Gulliani said of him, "He embodied the ideal blend of spirituality and public service." A memorial service was held on campus at noon. In Bradford, city firefighters placed a memorial outside the Central fire station on Chestnut Street. In Shanksville, ceremonies were held at the Flight 93 National Memorial. Pictured, top, St. Bonaventure ...

Photo by Kimm Brown The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

US Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson released the following statements on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: “Today, we remember those we lost on September 11th and the uncommon courage Americans showed during one of our Nation’s most difficult times," Casey said. "In Shanksville, at the Pentagon and in the streets of Manhattan, Americans came together and in some cases made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others. This 12th anniversary of 9/11 is a day to renew our commitment to confront our security and economic challenges in a spirit of unity and cooperation. "While the Senate was in session this week, my wife Terese was able to attend remembrance events in Shanksville on my behalf. We pray today for those who died on 9/11, for their families and for our troops serving around the globe; we also pray for ourselves, that we may be worthy of their valor.” Thompson said, “Today marks the 12th anniversary of th...

More than 300 members of the extended St.. Bonaventure family attended a prayer service on a steamy September afternoon to remember the victims of Sept. 11, 2001. Fr. Francis Di Spigno, O.F.M., executive director of University Ministries, led the solemn ceremony, which honored the three university alumni killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Prayers for peace and an end to violence around the world, including Syria, were also read. Fr. Mychal Judge, O.F.M., a 1957 St. Bonaventure graduate, became the first official (recorded) victim of 9/11 when he was killed by falling debris while attending to a victim at the World Trade Center in New York. Fr. Mychal was chaplain of the New York City Fire Department at the time, and a beloved friar known for his outreach to all people. Two other St. Bonaventure alumni, Rob Peraza, ’94, ’96, and Amy O’Doherty, ’00, were also killed at the World Trade Center. To honor Peraza, a former rugby player at St. Bonaventure, me...

Members of American Legion Post 108 in Bradford participated in a flag-raising ceremony this morning at Chapel Ridge. The flag was raised to the top of the pole, then immediately lowered to half-staff in recognition of Patriot Day. State Representative Marty Causer, who donated the new flag, was on hand for the ceremony and said we should always remember the sacrifices emergency responders made on September 11, 2001, and be thankful for the first responders we have. The ceremony also included the playing of “Taps” and a 21-gun salute. You can see more pictures on our Facebook page, Facebook.com/1490wesb . Pictured, Pete O'Donohoe lowers the flag to half staff while Clair Butler looks on. WESB photo] The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

St. Bonaventure University will hold a prayer service starting at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday at the university’s 9/11 Memorial, which is in front of the new Swan Business Center. The prayer service is open to the public. Participating will be the ROTC Color Guard, as well as the men’s rugby team, who will distribute prayer cards. Alumnus Rob Peraza, who was a member of the rugby team, was one of three St. Bonaventure alumni who died in New York City on September 11, 2001. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Mrs. Kris Toomey and Mrs. Terese Casey, the wives of U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), hosted a tribute at the U.S. Capitol today to honor the passengers and crew of Flight 93 and raise awareness for the still unfinished Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville. Here, Toomey addresses families of Flight 93 passengers, members of Congress, and their spouses. Here,families of Flight 93 passengers gather to remember. From left, Gordon Felt, brother of passenger Edward Felt; Allison Vadhan, daughter of passenger Kristin Gould White; Deborah Borza, mother of passenger Deora Bodley; and Greg Linden, guest of Deborah Borza. Photos provided by Toomey's office The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The St. Bonaventure University community will hold a prayer service to honor those killed Sept. 11, 2001. The service begins at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, and will be held at the university’s 9/11 Memorial, which is located adjacent to St. Joseph’s Oratory just south of Café La Verna. The memorial was moved from its original site next to Plassmann Hall due to construction of the university’s new business center. Tuesday’s program is open to the public; visitor parking is available nearby at the Magnano Centre dining complex. The prayer service will be led by Fr. Francis Di Spigno, O.F.M., executive director of University Ministries. Also participating will be the ROTC Color Guard, as well as the men’s rugby team, who will distribute prayer cards. Rob Perazza, who played rugby for St. Bonaventure, was one of three St. Bonaventure alumni killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11. The others are Amy Doherty and Father Mychal Judge, known as "The Saint of 9/11." The news lea...

The dog who helped police track Ralph “Bucky” Phillips into the woods where he eventually surrendered back in 2006 has passed away. 12-year-old Harry was also the last living member of the New York State Police K-9 unit who worked at the World Trade Center after 9/11. Harry met and protected several dignitaries including President Bill Clinton, worked at the US Open Golf Tournament on Long Island, and performed demonstrations at the Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Allegany and Erie county fairs as well as the New York State Fair in Syracuse. He was assigned to Trooper Jeff Kaduc of the Amity-based state police, and retired in 2008. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947 Photo provided

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pentagon officials have told U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) that no remains from United Flight 93 passengers were disposed of in a landfill. In a letter to Sen. Toomey, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jo Ann Rooney said that all Flight 93 DNA specimens sent to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory for testing were returned to Somerset County Coroner Wallace Miller in 2005. “I am relieved to learn that no remains from United Flight 93 passengers were sent to a landfill for disposal. The families deserve the peace of mind of knowing that these remains were treated with the utmost respect and dignity,” Sen. Toomey said. “I thank Secretary Panetta and the Pentagon for this response to my inquiry, and I hope to learn more about the treatment of remains from the Pentagon soon.” Today’s response follows a letter Sen. Toomey sent to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Feb. 28 asking him to clarify if any remains from the Pentagon and United...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director If you watch the St. Bonaventure women take on Notre Dame in Sunday’s Sweet 16 basketball match-up you might hear commentators make some comparisons between the two Catholic universities. You’ll probably hear about their connections to 9/11, too. Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw had been planning to take United Flight 175 out of Boston on September 11, 2001, but one of her assistants insisted that she take another flight that day, out of Providence. At the Providence airport, she saw and heard the TVs that told her about United Flight 175 crashing into the World Trade Center. St. Bonaventure graduate Father Mychal Judge has been called “The Saint of 9/11” and was also designated as "Victim 0001," recognized as the first official victim of the September 11, 2001, attacks. He was in the North Tower offering aid and prayers for the rescuers, the injured and dead when, at 9:59 a.m., the South Tower collapsed sending debris to the other ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) sent a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta today asking him to clarify if any remains from the Pentagon and United Flight 93 were cremated and disposed of in a landfill. According to a Washington Post report today, small amounts of unidentified remains from Shanksville, Pa., the site of the United Flight 93 crash, and the Pentagon were cremated and then sent to a landfill for disposal. However, Somerset County (Pa.) Coroner Wallace Miller told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review today that no remains from United Flight 93 were ever sent to a military mortuary for disposal. “The heroic passengers on United Flight 93 gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, and their families deserve to know the fate of their remains. It is critically important that we get to the bottom of this matter, clear up any remaining doubts, and ensure that those responsible for any mishandling of remains be held accountable,” Sen. Toomey writes. The full text...

A government official tells CNN that members of Congress were briefed by the White House, intelligence and other officials on Thursday that there is a "specific, credible but unconfirmed threat" to the U.S. homeland as the 9/11 anniversary approaches. The source said New York and Washington were specifically mentioned as possible targets. The members were told that officials are "strongly concerned" and "are not taking anything for granted" the source told CNN. Additionally, a senior administration official with first-hand knowledge tells CNN National Security Contributor Fran Townsend that there is "specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information." The official noted that al Qaeda has shown an interest in important dates and anniversaries. "Weird things" raised questions about the intelligence but officials felt they should inform people because of the nearing 9/11 anniversary. For updates go to http://cnn.com/

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett today ordered all U.S. and Pennsylvania flags at the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities statewide lowered to half staff on Sunday, Sept. 11 in honor of Patriot Day. All Pennsylvanians are authorized to join in this tribute.

WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks: “On the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I join with all Americans in remembering those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We will never forget that terrible day. We also must not forget the selflessness of the first responders, the service of the men and women who have been fighting to keep us safe and the vigilance required to prevent another terrorist attack. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives on September 11th.”

With growing objections to holding the trial of September 11 terrorism suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City, it's possible the trial could be held in Pennsylvania. The Department of Justice set guidelines that the trial must be held in one of the three locations where a September 11 crime occurred. Although Shanksville in Someset County is where one of the highjacked airplanes crashed, the trial could be held in federal court in Johnstown, Pittsburgh or Erie. Speaking on the Fred Thompson Show this afternnon, Governor Ed Rendell said he isn't sold on the idea of having the trial in the Commonwealth. "Right now in Pennsylvania, like every state in the union, we're facing huge budget challenges and I'd have to be assured that all of the costs would be paid for (by the federal government)," Rendell said. The Obama administration is setting aside $200 million to help the US city where the trial is held. Rendell said security is another issue that concer...

The St. Bonaventure and Olean-area communities are invited to a ceremony at 11:15 a.m. Friday in front of Plassmann Hall to commemorate the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. The University’s 9/11 memorial is in front of Plassmann, located on the west side of campus. The ceremony will honor the three University alumni killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center, as well as all the victims who died in Washington, D.C., New York and Pennsylvania that day. Robert Donius, vice president for university ministries, and Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., vice president for Franciscan mission, will take part in the ceremony, along with students and members of the University’s ROTC unit.