On Sept. 11, 2001, Scott Little was 72 hours away from graduating from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island.
Now the chief of Manheim Township Fire/Rescue, Little on Friday recalled the overwhelming outpouring of patriotism as Americans reacted to the terrorist attack on their country. The red, white and blue colors were everywhere, he said.
That's the spirit that motivates those who to serve their country and community as a member of the military or a first responder, he told the audience gathered for Lancaster County's annual 9/11 commemoration at the Public Safety Training Center.
"I know without a doubt, in this room, you're all patriots," he said.
Friday's ceremony brought together the county commissioners, first responders and their families and cadets from the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center's Protective Services program.
As the commissioners read the names of 52 county first responders who died in the line of duty, a bell was tolled and cadets laid roses at the podium in their memory.
"You grew up in a post-9/11 world," Little told the cadets in his keynote speech. They'll be called on to stand up for freedom, he said: "You are our future leaders."
Free people are vigilant in their own defense, Commissioner Ray D'Agostino said: "We will fight and we will sacrifice to keep that freedom."
Photos
(Photos: Tim Stuhldreher | One United Lancaster)
