Hopkinton To Honor 9/11 Victims, Veterans Lost To COVID-19

HOPKINTON, MA —A 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 3 p.m. on the Town Common at the gazebo.

The Town of Hopkinton, Old Guard New England, American Legion Post 202 and the Veterans Celebration Committee are organizing the event, which will pay tribute to those who died on Sept. 11, 2001 and during the Global War on Terrorism.

Additionally, 39 Hopkinton veterans who died from COVID-19 since March, 2020 will be recognized, said Don MacNeill, founder of Old Guard New England. Those veterans include American Legion Post 202 members Jack Aroian, Roy Stratton, Thomas Ellam and Richard Brault.

The ceremony will begin with a prayer from Rev. Richard E. Cannon followed by remarks from State Rep. Carolyn Dykema. The town will also offer thanks to local police and fire departments for their service.

Speakers will include Rep. Carolyn Dykema and Michael Whalen, adjutant for American Legion Post 202. The Hopkinton High School band will perform during the ceremony.

"We will ring the bell 3-4-3 times for the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11; we will ring it 2-9-1 times for the 291 law enforcement personnel who died on 9/11; we will ring the bell 1-3 times for the 13 service members who recently died in Afghanistan; and we will ring it 3-9 times for the Hopkinton veterans who died from COVID-19," MacNeill said.

"Twenty years may have passed since the Sept. 11 attacks, but that day still lives on in our memories and we will never forget it," Town Manager Norman Khumalo said. "We are proud to come together and remember all those lost on that fateful day, and recognize the bravery of the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting others. We encourage community members to join us in honoring them on Saturday."

Three flags will be folded during the ceremony, and one will be presented to the Hopkinton Police Department, one to the Hopkinton Fire Department and one to the senior center, according to MacNeill.

A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. on the Town Common at the gazebo.