Members of Stoystown Volunteer Fire Department presented the colors during the annual memorial service honoring the crew and passengers of Flight 93.
SOMERSET, Penn. -- It was a proud moment for members of Stoystown Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday night.
They presented the colors during the annual memorial service honoring the crew and passengers of Flight 93.
What the family and community didn't know was that it was their first time ever posting the colors.
"We were honored to be here and participate," said Stoystown Chief David Johnson.
The makeshift honor guard practiced twice before making its debut before the crowd that included parents, spouses and siblings of Flight 93 passengers and crew.
Johnson said the families have always been most appreciative of the responders' efforts.
On Sept. 11, Johnson was working as a supervisor in the Somerset County EMA 9-1-1 Center. As everyone else in the country, he and his two co-workers were watching events unfold in New York City and at the Pentagon.
"We all were wondering, 'If it happened here what would we do?'" he said. Moments later, the lines lit up.
Although there's a small airport nearby, the callers were reporting it was a big aircraft. "One who called was on a mobile phone and running toward the field and the smoke."
Based on what was happening in other areas of the country, the responders figured it may be related. It didn't take long, however, for that to be verified.
Stoystown's mini pumper is pictured in many of the news photographs taken that day.
There was little to do once they arrived. There were a few small fires, but that was pretty much it.
The company remained on standby for various tasks over the next few weeks.
"It's affected us all around here," the chief said. "We do what we can to make the families feel comfortable."
