Not All Americans Have Forgotten

I've told you about Reading and Berks economic woes.

And I know I've talked Reading's violent crime problem.

I don't live in Reading proper (although I grew up there) but in Exeter Township, which borders Reading.

And despite Reading & Berks problems, every now and then we get it just right.

update:

And, according to Will, 1,500 other communities feel the same way.

Hey, Mr Obama & the rest of leftist America, you listening?

Reading Eagle:

Exeter Memorial Day Parade has 9/11 note
Trade Center steel evokes strong feelings from crowd
Dan Kelly
Reading Eagle

The weather cooperated and the people came out for what Exeter Fire Department Chief Robert F. Jordan said may have been the best Memorial Day Parade the township has ever seen.

"It was a beautiful day, maybe a little too hot, but beautiful," Jordan said. "And I think the people of the township really enjoyed it, too."

The bright skies were reminiscent of Sept. 11, 2001, when two jets piloted by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York, killing nearly 3,000 people.

The bravery shown by so many Americans on that tragic day was fresh on the minds of Exeter parade viewers, as township firefighters displayed three pieces of steel from the twin towers.

A fire department honor guard escorted the flatbed truck that carried the steel pieces from 9/11.

"People saluted or put their hands over their hearts, and you could see tears streaming down some of their faces as the steel passed," Jordan said.

The largest piece is 6 feet long and 22 inches wide. The two smaller ones are 2 feet long and 18 inches wide.

The fire department plans to create three memorials, one at each of the Exeter fire stations and a larger memorial centrally located in the township.

About 1,500 communities in 50 states have requested that artifacts from Sept. 11 be set aside for use in their communities.

"To my knowledge, no other municipality or agency in the county has acquired artifacts from the trade centers," Jordan said. "We'd like to get the public and Berks County businesses involved in selecting a location and a design for the memorial."

Exeter's Memorial Day parade wound along 36th Street to West Neversink Road, where people lined the streets to watch. It ended with a ceremony in Forest Hills Memorial Park honoring American men and women killed in war.

Afterward, about 400 residents visited the Reiffton firehouse on 33rd Street for an open house and to get a closer look at the World Trade Center steel.

"It was a wonderful day all around," Jordan said.

Exeter Township Fire Department firefighter Ben Ross salutes during Memorial Day ceremonies Monday in Forest Hills Memorial Park. Behind him are pieces of steel from the World Trade Center in New York.

Steel from the World Trade Center in New York proceeds along the parade route on a flatbed truck. The steel will be incorporated into a memorial in Exeter Township.

Photos by Ben Hasty, Reading Eagle