LYNNFIELD — The Town Common was filled on Wednesday with residents to honor and memorialize those who lost their lives and those who were affected by the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001.
The town honored longtime Lynnfield residents, former Boston Bruin Garnett “Ace” Bailey and Sean Lynch.
Bailey died on Flight 175 on the way to Los Angeles, where he worked for the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. Lynch died while working in the World Trade Center, where he was the senior vice president of equity and trading at Cantor Fitzgerald Co. Inc.
“We will remember every family that still lives in grief. And we will remember the fire and the ash, the last phone calls to family, and the funerals of the children,” Town Administrator Rob Dolan said. “Lynnfield also has not forgotten that tragic day. But we also remember the unity and common purpose that we all shared as a community and as Americans, and we remember that today.”
Dolan honored the first responders — firefighters, EMTs, and police officers — who risked their lives on that day and continue to serve their communities.
“We have been taught from a very young age to run away from trouble. They have been taught in their training to run toward trouble. And we thank them publicly here today,” he said.
Police Chief Nick Secatore praised the Lynnfield firefighters, many of whom were working to stop the fire at Old Towne Market that occurred Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning.
“Now when you see a fireman here today, please know that most of them have been working since 9 p.m. last night at a fire scene, and probably haven’t slept since Tuesday night. In the last 24 hours, they managed a major fire scene while continuing to provide services to the residents,” he said. “It’s remarkable, and it reflects the commitment of all the first responders in the town of Lynnfield.”
Fire Chief Glenn Davis said it is important to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and make sure the future generations understand the importance of the tragedy.
“We tell them to remember. We cannot live in that day forever, but to forget it would be a tragedy of its own,” he said. “We tell them to remember, remember the courage and bravery of first responders who rushed to help their fellow citizens and perished.”
Select Board Chair Dick Dalton honored Bailey and Lynch and the impacts the loss of their lives had on the community.
Bailey died at 52 years old. “Ace’s personality was larger than life, and he had the ability to light up a room like no one I have ever met,” he said. “I’ll always remember him as the hockey parent that always brought laughter to our get-togethers.”
Lynch died at 34 years old. “He was remembered by his friends and family as a special young man with a special smile who was warm, polite, and fun to be with,” Dalton said.
