Acushnet cancels annual 9/11 Memorial for public safety in light of EEE

“On September 11, 2011 we dedicated the Acushnet 9/11 Memorial which serves as a daily reminder to the events of that tragic day. Incorporating steel from the World Trade Center, a piece of the façade from the damaged portion of the Pentagon and a stone from the crash site in Pennsylvania, the Acushnet Memorial stands in silent testimony to our commitment that “Acushnet will always remember.”

“Each year since the dedication eight years ago, we have held an outdoor ceremony beginning at 6:00 pm which is regularly attended by dozens of residents and others seeking a sense of community and time of reflection. At each ceremony we are reminded that we, as a town, will always remember.

“However, this year things are different. We are currently living under a declaration by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that Acushnet, along with several other communities, is at critical risk due to Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) transmitted by mosquitoes. State officials do not make such declarations without a foundation of fact-based on science. Local governments have been directed to limit outdoor activities during this crisis.

“Our annual ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial is a fire department-sponsored event. As the head of the department, I must use an abundance of caution when inviting people to attend an outside event at this particular time. Accordingly, I am canceling for this year the type of ceremony the community has come to expect.

“This decision is not made lightly. I’ve consulted with public health and other town officials. I considered an earlier start time but know that many people are not yet home or available earlier on a weekday. While understanding that some may question this decision, I simply ask that you remember that the current EEE crisis is real and that local people have become infected and have died. To ignore these facts would be a disservice to those we are sworn to protect.

“We are coordinating with local churches to see if they would ring their church bells for one minute beginning at 8:46am, the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center. At that time firefighters will place a wreath at the memorial and we will lower the flag of the United States of America to half-mast. We welcome people to visit the memorial on September 11th at any time they choose, it is always open. We strongly encourage proper mosquito protection if visiting.

“Changes like this, even on a temporary basis, can create conflict. Obviously that is not our intention. But as public safety officials, we need to make decisions that consider the health and safety of the public. This is one of those times and one of those decisions.

“We fully expect to resume our traditional type of 9/11 ceremony next year and for the years to come. Thank you for your understanding.”-Chief Kevin Gallagher, Acushnet Fire & EMS Department