Remembering 9/11, observing Patriot Day with 'Healing Field'

Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club press release

Sept. 11, 2001, was a day with unimagined devastation caused by terrorist attacks on the U.S.

Patriot Day is a national, official day of remembrance and service honoring the victims of the terrorist attacks, marked by flying flags at half-staff and moments of silence.

Locally, a “Healing Field” is a spectacular display of 3,000 full-size American flags at Gratwick Riverside Park in North Tonawanda, sponsored by the Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club as a tribute of gratitude and remembrance.

This year, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Exchange Club will host its third inspiring display of flags at Gratwick-Riverside Park – from Sept. 11-13. The theme, “Remember and Never Forget,” is a tribute to those who lost their lives and to the families that are forever impacted.

“All proceeds will be donated to area veterans’ groups and first responders,” said Ron Sciandra, chairman of the event.

Sciandra smiled in remembrance of 2016, the club’s first Healing Field.

“The logistics of that first year – finding a place to attach the flags on poles, adding tags with the name and information of a person killed, plus tags with the name of a person being honored or remembered, transporting the flags to the park and putting them in place, seemed overwhelming. And that didn’t even count the number of volunteers we needed.”

Seeking sponsorships was a challenge as companies and organizations had a hard time understanding the enormity of the project.

“It was hard for some to envision 3-by-5-foot flags waving from 8-foot poles purchased from the Colonial Flag Foundation,” said George Boller, co-chairman.

The club offered community members the opportunity to purchase a flag in honor or memory of a loved one for a $30 donation, then take the flag home at the end of the third day.

“We were amazed at how many people wanted to be part of this tribute,” Boller said. “This was Ron’s idea, and his enthusiasm and determination to make it happen made even those who thought it would never work come on board.”

Sciandra is a founder of the Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club and has served as club and district president, taking chairmanship of the Healing Field in 2016 and 2021.

“When Ron asked me to help with the 2021 field, I saw the photo of the flag field in 2016 and was overwhelmed,” Boller said. “After that Healing Field, I joined Exchange.”

Boller is a U.S. Navy veteran who served in active duty from 1974-82, and from 1982-94 in the Reserves as an aviation maintenance duty officer. He’s commander of Orchard Park Post 567, American Legion. A Scoutmaster for Troop 285 since 1984, he is proud of the 150 Eagle Scouts who’ve come from his troop in that time.

“This tribute means a lot to me personally,” Boller said.

Sciandra added, “We should never forget. No matter how it happened, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that 3,000 people lost their lives. We must remember them, their families and friends.”

This year’s three-day remembrance will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, with volunteers reading all 3,000 names. A bell will toll at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37 and 10:03 a.m., coinciding with the time one of the targets was hit. Simultaneously, volunteers will put up flags in the field.

All are invited to this moving ceremony.

At 6 p.m. Sept. 11, the official ceremony with a speaker and musical presentation will begin. Those attending are encouraged to walk among the flags, say a prayer for those who lost their lives, and remember the 9/11 tragedy.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, a musical presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a ceremony at 2 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 13, music will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at 10 a.m., and an opportunity to retrieve flags that will be taken down to end the three-day tribute.

“This project is the Exchange Club’s way of honoring those impacted by this horrific event,” Sciandra said. “It’s a tribute of honor, remembrance and patriotism.”

Flags are available for a $30 donation with proceeds shared with area veterans’ groups and first responders.

For more information or to purchase a flag, contact Sciandra at ronald.sciandra@gmail.com or 716-3160141.