September 12, 2003|By Andrew A. Green | Andrew A. Green,SUN STAFF
Parishioners at Timonium United Methodist Church sang a hymn, listened to speeches by politicians and rang the church bell yesterday morning. But it was during their last prayer, when they looked up and saw a jet flying low and slow across a flawless blue sky, that they remembered how it felt.
Cloudless and cool with the first promise of fall, just as it was on Sept. 11 two years before, the glimpse of a jet overhead brought the congregation back to the shocking moments when planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. It reminded the 50 worshipers of the confusing day that followed when, for the first time anyone could remember, there were no planes in the sky.
"In some ways it seems like yesterday - the weather is so similar to the way it was two years ago," said Donna Hill, an education director at the church. "But if you think of all the things that have happened, Afghanistan, Iraq, and if you think of all the families who lost moms and dads, it seems like forever."
There were fewer 9/11 remembrance events across the region yesterday than a year ago, and by and large they weren't attended by the mass crowds who streamed to the formal events marking the terrorist attacks' first anniversary.
Yesterday, a bell at a downtown Baltimore Episcopal church tolled once for each victim. Financial workers passed out flags to motorists in Bel Air. Firefighters and paramedics raised a toast at a pub outside Annapolis.
Nontraditional events
More than 1,000 people dashed in the second St. Joseph Medical Center Run to Remember, which benefited the Baltimore Police Foundation and Baltimore Fire Department. A Baltimore contractor sponsored an arm-wrestling contest to benefit police and military charities.
Some who attended yesterday's memorials said they didn't quite know how to feel.
"I think a lot of guys kind of compartmentalized a lot of things that transpired. It didn't really bother me until last year at the anniversary - I really broke down," said Capt. Robert D. Murray Sr., who helped search for victims in the World Trade Center with the Baltimore County Fire Department's Advanced Tactical Rescue Team.
He and other firefighters were honored by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. for their 9/11 rescue efforts.
"But now, I think everybody is learning to deal with it," Murray said.
Dr. Michael Kaminsky, who heads the Johns Hopkins Institutions Mental Health Disaster Planning Committee, said the sense of obligation to remember is still there, but it's normal for people to feel so differently this year.
"People spend much of that first year-plus looking backward, and they start moving on in life during the close of the second year," Kaminsky said. "It's natural that there would be less personal involvement."
Furthermore, Kaminsky said, two years, two wars and a lot of politics later, the country doesn't feel the same unity it did in the moments after the attacks.
As a result, Marylanders marked the anniversary in ways they didn't last year.
Thirty-nine arm wrestlers who made it through a summerlong tournament went hand-to-hand last night at Bohager's on South Eden Street to compete for the championship in their weight classes and a $1,000 cash prize.
Craig Shotwell, the Baltimore contractor who organized the event, said profits will go to the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police, Baltimore City Widows and Orphans Fund and United Service Organization Operation Care Package.
"I wanted to do something that people could get involved in and do something about," he said.
On the Avenue at White Marsh, the Bayou Blues Cafe held a "9-11 Day of Remembrance" that included karaoke and casino games.
Kelly Coulter, office manager for the cafe, said all the proceeds from the big wheel game, blackjack table and raffles will go to the Uniformed Firefighters Association Widows' and Children's Fund.
Although emotions weren't as raw for most as they once were, many of those who attended and organized events yesterday said they felt it wouldn't be right to let the day pass unmarked.
Sharon Kugler, the Johns Hopkins University chaplain, said she sensed students were glad to see a small memorial service on campus yesterday.
Last year, the focus was on remembering the victims, but this time, Kugler said, she and student organizers decided to hold an interfaith event to talk about ways people can reach out to each other and bring peace.
"Certainly in 2001, looking around to connect with someone was just an overwhelming constant, and last year people wanted to acknowledge the day in much more formal ways," she said. "We're not sure how it's going to be received, but we feel like taking some action or talking about how to become vessels for peace seems to be the appropriate thing."
Firefighters' toast
