As the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks approached, Emmaus Patch asked various members of the local community to talk about how the events of that tragic day impacted them. Patch also asked the community to share their thoughts on what they believe the future will bring. Here's what they had to say at that time: Emmaus Ambulance Corps Chief Mike Nonnemacher Chief Joe Sherman, of Citizens' Fire Co. Emmaus Police Chief David A. Faust Upper Milford Supervisor George DeVault, who one year ago was acting Fire Chief with Citizens' Fire Co. Emmaus Fire Department Chief Jim Reiss …

Richard Shoemaker rang the bell at Old Zionsville UCC at precisely 8:46 a.m. on Sept 11—the exact time that Flight # 11 hit the North Tower in New York City 10 years earlier. It was a very patriotic morning at the church. Flags decorated the pews, bell tower and pulpit. Red, white and blue bows greeted parishioners as they entered the church.  9:02 a.m.—Shoemaker rang the bell a second time. This time, marking the moment when Flight # 175 hit the South Tower. Sunday School students sang patriotic songs and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. They learned briefly what occurred—that the United …

"Everybody who takes care of me is dead," said a 4-year-old boy as he and his mother walked toward the first Community Heroes Day at Emmaus Public Library. "It's OK honey, see, not all the firemen are dead," his mom responded. George DeVault, assistant fire chief for Citizens' Fire Co. in Upper Milford, became choked up, even 10 years later, as he recalled hearing these words from the boy who approached the parking lot on the first night of what has become an annual event in Emmaus - "Community Heroes Day." On September 11, 2001, Martha Vines, Emmaus's children's librarian, said she overheard…

Editor's Note: With the approach of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Emmaus Patch asked various members of the local community to talk about how the events of that tragic day impacted them. We will run the responses we received throughout the week leading up to Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. Emmaus Ambulance Corps Chief Mike Nonnemacher reflects on the impact of 9/11 on the ambulance corps: "Since 9/11/2001 there certainly has been much discussion of our preparedness and the preparedness of the U.S.A. and its citizens against terrorism," Nonnemaker says. "Training…

Some of the churches in Upper Milford Township have planned special events on Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. All events are open to the community. Old Zionsville UCC will have a program at its 9 a.m. Rally Day for Sunday School that morning. At the 10:15 a.m. worship service, parishioners will have an opportunity to greet and thank local fire and emergency services personnel in the community. These volunteers will be in attendance at the service and will be recognized. Lehigh Valley Baptist Church will conduct a special service at 10:15 a.m. …

Editor's Note: With the approach of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Emmaus Patch asked various members of the local community to talk about how the events of that tragic day impacted them. We will run the responses we received throughout the week leading up to Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011.  Chief Joe Sherman, of Citizens' Fire Co., looks back on the 10 years since 9/11: Donations and fundraising "I think right after the 9/11 incident, our donations actually went up some, but I think they’re on a decline now mostly because of the economy, " Sherman says. "People …

Editor's Note: With the approach of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Emmaus Patch asked various members of the local community to talk about how the events of that tragic day impacted them. We will run the responses we received throughout the week leading up to Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011.  Emmaus Police Chief David A. Faust recalls where he was on 9/11 and the actions of the Emmaus Police Department immediately following the terrorist attacks. In terms of the effects of 9/11 on the department, he sites funding as one of the biggest changes in the last decade, …

Editor's Note: With the approach of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Emmaus Patch asked various members of the local community to talk about how the events of that tragic day impacted them. We will run the responses we received throughout the week leading up to Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011.  Although it might be surprising to some, George DeVault, acting Fire Chief with Citizens' Fire Co., says that firefighters and other emergency personnel were mindful of terrorism before Sept. 11, 2001. The willingness of first responders to rush to Ground Zero to help out …

Despite his attempts to not think too much about Sept. 11, Spencer Parness cannot help but have vivid memories as the 10th anniversary approaches. Tuesday was the first time that the Zionsville man has spoken publicly about that infamous day. At the time, he and his wife, Joan, lived in Astoria, N.Y. Parness worked at the Guardian Life Insurance Co. – he has since retired – just a few blocks from the Twin Towers. His wife worked then at a nursing home in New Rochelle. He got off the train that day near City Hall, one stop before the Twin Towers. When he got off the train, he was aware of some…

Editor's Note: With the approach of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Emmaus Patch asked various members of the local community to talk about how the events of that tragic day impacted them. We will run the responses we received throughout the week leading up to Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011.  Emmaus Fire Department Chief Jim Reiss says that changes in staffing requirements, equipment and training seen in firefighting today can be traced back to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Staffing "We now need a R.I.T. team on any working fire." Reiss says. "This is a Rapid …