Bucks County First Responders, Officials, Community Remember 9/11

Bucks County first responders, community members, along with local and state officials, gathered for a memorial service at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Croydon on Sept. 9, 2011.

An entrance procession including the Knights of Columbus, St. John Neumann Assembly, No. 933 Color Corp., EMS providers, military personnel and police officers opened the service led by Father Michael J. Davis, who shared his reflections.

"For me 9/11 is still a constant reminder that some people choose to do horribly destructive things to human lives and sadly, those plots  still are in the wings and we naturally, I believe, we look for the other shoe to drop. But tonight, it's the message of remembering and thanksgiving," Davis said.

State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, Bristol Township Mayor John Monahan and Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick were among the local and state officials who read from scriptures during the memorial.

VIDEO: Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick Reflects On 9/11

"I was very proud to be invited Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, here in Croydon in Bristol Township. They have this rememberance every year and at 10 years, it's still important to sort of look back, not just look forward, but look back and see what happened, remember what happened. And also, as we heard during the service, turn around and say 'Thank you' to our first reponders, the police officers, the emergency medics, the fire department, the leaders in our community, many of the volunteers, who give so much of themselves," Fitzpatrick said.

Local first responders each recited their respective prayers. An EMS prayer was read by Chief Christopher Reif with the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad. Croydon Fire Company Chief Thomas Tryon read the firefighter's prayer. World War II POW John Masko read a military prayer and a police prayer was read by Bristol Township Police Department Officer Kimberly Caron.

A visual presentation, with a slideshow of events from Sept. 11, 2001 and acompanying music sung by Mary Gutherman, paid tribute to first responders and those who lost their lives 10 years ago.

The Bucks County Country Gentlemen chorus, who opened the program with The National Anthem, closed it with God Bless America.

WATCH VIDEO: Bucks County First Responders Attend 9/11 Memorial.