The Star Beacon; Ashtabula, Ohio

Local News

September 12, 2008

Geneva comes together on anniversary

GENEVA — Seven years ago the Geneva community watched and grieved during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

On Thursday, the community came together again to remember.

“With all the pain, with all the grief that ran through this country, you wonder, ‘Why do we want to remember Sept. 11?’” Geneva businessman Phil Schmidt said. “We remember to honor those who died in the attack and those heroes who ran to their aid.”

Schmidt’s voice boomed over the small crowd at Geneva Community Center Thursday as they remembered that day and the people who died.

“It comforts us to comfort those who lost loved ones,” he said. “It helps us strongly to gather and pray together, in unison.”

Schmidt said the anniversary of 9/11/2001 is a day to honor heroes and remember that there is both good in people and danger in the world.

“We need to remember how terrible this was, I remember how hard it was for me to believe that people could be so hateful,” Schmidt said. “But we need to recall that 9/11 was not an isolated incident. There have been 15 years old attacks worldwide.”

“And I am pretty sure 9/11 wasn’t the last time. We need to be on guard even when all seems safe. I pray to God to soften the hearts of our enemies,” he said.

Geneva resident Mary Tabor is the proud grandmother of Virginia resident Josh Tabor, who just returned from a 15-month tour of Iraq. Mary Tabor said her heart aches for every serviceman’s family.

“When you know someone or when someone you love is over there, you take it personally,” she said. “You want to remember why they are there, and you count your blessings and pray they come back safe.”

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