Saugus ceremony remembers victims

SAUGUS – Saugus officials commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9-11 urged residents to reject hatred as a tool used by terrorists and instead remember those heroes who responded 10 years ago – and continue to respond today – to protect the country.”It’s real easy to hate, but that hate caused the attacks,” said Saugus Veterans Council President and United States Navy Veteran Steve Castinetti. “But, today, let’s put that hatred aside and direct our attention to those heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect freedom and democracy.”Castinetti, along with town officials, members of the Saugus Police and Fire departments, veterans and many citizens gathered in front of Town Hall at noon Sunday for a memorial service to honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, including Saugus residents David DiMeglio and Gertrude “Trudi” Alagero.Saugus Firefighter Paul Penachio spoke poignantly about traveling to Ground Zero as part of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team to aid in recovery efforts. He said that he remembered driving down to New York as the “longest six hours he ever spent in a vehicle” and wondering if he would be able to find survivors.”We worked in the rain, heat, and never stopped, hopeful we would find someone,” he told the audience. “But we never did? To say we found people, I’d be lying. We found a piece here, a piece there.”Former Army Specialist Rick Cushman presented the town with a flag from his recent visit to the 9-11 museum. The flag listed all of the names of those lost in the terrorist attacks and Cushman said that he hoped that the flag would one day be displayed in town.Reverend Martha Leahy of the First Congregational Church asked the crowd “that each name be a prayer.”Castinetti concluded the ceremony with a plea that the lessons of 9-11 and the larger Global War on Terrorism never be forgotten.”Remember Trudi and David and the thousands who died,” he said. “The Global War on Terror is not over, the attacks were not a one-time event. Be vigilant and be aware.”