On a morning almost as crystal clear as the tragic day of September 11, 2001, the town of Holliston gathered at the 9/11 memorial at Blair Square on the Holliston Rail Trail to solemnly remember the devastating events 25 years prior. The event was organized by members of Holliston’s American Legion Post 47and VFW Post 8507. In attendance were members of Holliston Police, Holliston Fire, local veterans’ organizations and others. 

Speaker LTC. Barbara Ryan U.S. Army (ret) recalled the day as what “seemed like a typical Tuesday, until it wasn’t.” Running an inpatient unit at Fort Campell at the time, with her husband retired from military and then a commercial pilot, Ryan recalled the day and her relief at later learning he was safe, “but …we also know that nearly 3,000 families did not receive that reassurance,” she continued, “On that morning, 1,000 firefighters of the FDNY responded to the World Trade Center. They ran toward it, because that is what they do. It is in their blood to run and to rescue —343 members of the FDNY were killed. The NYPD was right on their heels and were no less heroic. Hundreds of officers, with their motto: fidelis ad mortem, faithful until death. Twenty-three NYPD lost their lives, and in all, 71 law enforcement officers were killed, and eight private emergency medical technicians and paramedics also lost their lives.” Ryan added that in days following, thousands more “ran toward” the devastation, many taking away emotional and physical wounds, some that ended their lives.

“And then came war,” Ryan reminded the gathering, “…in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom alone, more than 6,700 American service members lost their lives and more than 52,000 were wounded in action. And behind every one of these numbers is a human being, a name, a face, a family, friends, communities, their futures interrupted and forever changed.”

She encouraged listeners to “always remember,” adding, “Remembrance must be more than looking backwards. To honor the past, we must fully live responsibly in the present. This is an obligation and a privilege. Protecting democracy and the freedom generations of Americans have defended is part of this privilege. Each of us is called to participate actively in our democracy even when it’s difficult. Seeking truth, listening, refusing to allow fear to turn us against one another, and finding common ground and respecting our differences—this is where our strengths lie.

“Democracy also means holding elected officials accountable,” Ryan continued, “I was taught as a very young officer that war must always, always be the very last alternative, and our Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and authorize force, while the President serves as Commander-in-Chief. These are solemn powers, and we must hold accountable all those responsible to exercise them. Through our votes, we entrust our elected leaders with responsibility, and we must continue to insist their decisions are made with wisdom, with honesty, with restraint, and a full understanding of the human cost of war.

“Peace is not passive,” she continued, “Peace and peacemaking require courage, vigilance, discernment and citizens willing to demand it. So, today, we remember the 2,977 lives that were lost on September 11th. We solemnly honor those who ran toward danger, we remember and care for those who still carry wounds, and let us never forget our fellow Americans sent into harm’s way, and every family that waited, and is waiting, for them to come home.”

Ryan again urged the group to never forget, and to hold peace as a sacred responsibility.

In addition to the speaker, Holliston’s remembrance included an extended moment of silence, a rifle salute, TAPS and the singing by everyone of “God Bless America.”

Legion bestows 2026 9/11 awards

On Sunday, September 13, American Legion Post 47 conducted its annual “9/11 Awards,” given to Holliston Police, Fire and EMS who have gone above and beyond the line of duty. 

The award for the Holliston Fire Department went to Firefighter/Paramedic Rachel Crawford, Paramedic Michael Dumican, Deputy Chief/Advanced EMT Michael Gulla and Firefighter/Paramedic Dylan Mahoney, who gave lifesaving treatment to a toddler at Stoddard Park on Sunday, July 26, 2026. 

Holliston Police Department’s Sgt. Ken Belson, Officer Scott Downey, Officer Bryan DiGiorgio and Officer John Loftus were bestowed with the 9/11 Award for their immediate and investigative efforts in the early morning hours of March 7, 2026, responding to a report of a missing 13-year-old juvenile who had run away from home and had headed to Logan Airport, having purchased a plane ticket to Los Angeles, CA. Thanks to coordination with Massachusetts State Police, the juvenile was safely located and recovered.

Officer Richard Davis and Sgt. Ryan Parent, of Holliston EMS, received the 9/11 Award for their efforts on July 2, 2026, for an unresponsive male party, who was receiving CPR by a female party. In addition to administering a first dose of Naloxone, Davis and Parent ensured everyone remained safe after a second dose of Naloxone brought the patient to his feet, hostile to first responders, following the ambulance to Metrowest Regional Hospital.