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New Canaan Unites for Peace on 9/11 Anniversary

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – On a solemn anniversary in American history, Dan and Rosanna Frattaroli said it was important to see a community united.

“It’s kind of like a support group,” said Dan Frattaroli, heartened at the sight of his fellow New Canaanites on God’s Acre, pausing to pray, sing and hope for peace on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. “It’s good for the community to honor the people who passed away.”

Hundreds of residents gathered in front of the New Canaan Congregational Church for the remembrance and peace service organized by local clergy. Despite a few rain sprinkles, visitors spoke prayers in unison and sang portions of “America the Beautiful.”

Rosanna Frattaroli agreed on the importance of the ceremony in uniting the community. “We as Americans came together,” she said. It will also be part of a history lesson they’ll have for their 14-month-old son Luke. The Frattaroli family also touched a steel beam from the ruins of the World Trade Center site given to the town earlier this year. “He’ll be learning about this in school,” Rosanna said.

Bill and Lisa Eydt commemorated the day while recalling Bill’s friend, Edwin Graf III, who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center and died after the Twin Towers fell. Bill Eydt had visited Lower Manhattan earlier Sunday, where thousands gathered at reflecting pools in the towers’ footprints. Eydt’s eyes welled up with tears upon thinking of Graf, whom he had known since he was 12. He said he expects people will want to see the Lower Manhattan memorial. “It doesn’t bring closure to anything. It doesn’t bring anyone back, but it’s a nice thing to have,” Eydt said.  

Lisa Eydt said New Canaan’s service was “very nice” and she appreciated seeing so many leaders of different faiths. Nick and Rose Carlino were encouraged by the service. “This was very good,” Nick said, though he expects it will take a long time to achieve the peace in the world so many desire. “We hope we can get to see it."

Did you attend New Canaan’s interfaith remembrance and peace service Sunday? What lessons have we learned since the events of Sept. 11, 2001? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by visiting our Facebook page.

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