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Rilling: Norwalk Rises 'More Resolute' After Sept. 11 Attacks

NORWALK, Conn. -- Norwalk gathered at City Hall on Thursday morning to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terror attack.

Members of the Norwalk Fire and Police Joint Honor Guard post the colors during the city's Sept. 11 tribute Thursday morning.

Members of the Norwalk Fire and Police Joint Honor Guard post the colors during the city's Sept. 11 tribute Thursday morning.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Members of the Norwalk Fire Department and Norwalk Police Department stand in salute during the 9/11 ceremony.

Members of the Norwalk Fire Department and Norwalk Police Department stand in salute during the 9/11 ceremony.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Detective Kristina Lapak and David Harris perform during Norwalk Sept. 11 ceremony Thursday.

Detective Kristina Lapak and David Harris perform during Norwalk Sept. 11 ceremony Thursday.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Mayor Harry Rilling talks about the attacks and the country's resolve following Sept. 11.

Mayor Harry Rilling talks about the attacks and the country's resolve following Sept. 11.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Members of the Honor Guard fire off a salute to the victims of Sept. 11.

Members of the Honor Guard fire off a salute to the victims of Sept. 11.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue

The solemn event included prayers from Pastor Oscar DeStruge of El Camno United Methodist Church and the Rev. Michael Boccaccio of St. Philip Church.

There were remarks on the tragedies and those who lost their lives, as well as Posting of the Colors and a salute by the Norwalk Fire Department and Norwalk Police Department Joint Honor Guard.

Detective Kristina Lapak sang "The Prayer" and "God Bless America," accompanied by David Harris. Norwalk Fire Deputy Chief Ed Prescott performed "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. The Norwalk Fire Department sounded the last alarm for those who died in the attacks.

"Those who would attack us felt that they could destroy us, but what they did was they momentarily buckled our knees," said Mayor Harry Rilling. "Once we recovered from the shock and horror, we rose again as a nation more united, more powerful and more resolute. Resolute to make sure that nothing like this would ever occur again."

Members of the Common Council read the names of the 14 Norwalk residents who died on Sept. 11: Paul Dario Curioli, Ronald Gilligan, Edwin John Graf III, William C. Hunt, Thomas E. Hynes, Adam J. Lewis, Edward Francis "Teddy" Maloney III, Cesar A. Murillo, Robert Walter Noonan, James Matthew Patrick, George E. Spencer III, Derek James Statkevicus, Bradley H. Vadas and John Bentley Works.

"We still hurt deeply for those who lot their lives and for those who lost their love ones. We mourn the nearly 3,000 people, our brothers and sisters of this country, who died in that tragedy 13 years ago," said Boccaccio in his benediction. "We are humbled and inspired by the bravery of all the first responders. We continue to grieve for the attacks on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, the passengers and crews of United Airlines and American Airlines."

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