Westfield Fire Department officials salute the flag as it is lowered.
Reminder Publishing photos by Amy Porter
WESTFIELD — On Sept. 11, 2025, at both the 10 a.m. remembrance at the Westfield Fire Department on 34 Broad St. and the 11 a.m. service in 9/11 Memorial Park, one message was shared by all of the speakers: Westfield will never forget.
Fire Chief Patrick Egloff began his remarks by naming Tara Shea-Creamer, Brian Murphy, Daniel Trant and Thomas Holohan and all of the victims of 9/11, especially those from Westfield, and all of the emergency responders, fire and police who answered the call that day. “We will never forget,” Egloff said.
Deputy Chief Patrick Kane, Jr. and Deputy Chief Eric Bishop led the lowering of the flag to half mast, a moment of silence, prayers, poems, “Amazing Grace” played by Firefighter Roger Bernier on the bagpipes, followed by the tapping out of four 5’s on the bell.
Kane said long before telephones was the telegraph, on which a special signal was tapped when a firefighter was killed.
Egloff thanked Mayor Michael McCabe, Councilors Karen Fanion, Ralph Figy, Cindy Harris, Bridget Matthews-Kane and Nicholas Morganelli, Jr., Police Chief Jay Pitoniak and members of the Westfield Police Department were at the ceremony, as were state Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Westfield) and state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield.)
An ambulance call went out from the fire station just before the service was over, underlining a morning that was even more sombre, given the horrific events on Sept. 10.
Most who attended the service at the Fire Department went to the 9/11 Memorial Park.
There, McCabe remembered the families who lost loved ones on 9/11, and thanked the public safety personnel, police, fire and the men and women in the armed services.
McCabe then introduced several family members who wanted to say speak.
Katie Shea, wife of Brian Shea who lost his sister Tara Shea Creamer when she was just 30 years old, extended her sincere thanks on behalf of the Shea family.
“On each 9/11 anniversary, we are transported back in time and remember every detail,” Shea said. This year, she and Brian Shea were in Saratoga in August when they came upon a 9/11 sculpture made from the wreckage. She said they stayed there a while.
“It got me thinking about this memorial in Westfield and at the Sons of Erin and the deep meaning they hold … We can’t erase the events of Sept. 11, but we can move forward with compassion … the compassion that has unified us these 24 years.” She said the families can feel the compassion at all three memorial services, and see it in the eyes of everyone who attends.
Sally Trant, who spoke for the Trant family on behalf of Daniel Trant, said in the last several years, she has met several firefighters who lost family members and colleagues. “I think of the firefighters and police the most. I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for always being here for us,” she said.
Ann Murphy, speaking for the Murphy family on behalf of Brian Murphy, said other members of her family were attending the 9/11 service in New York City, and reading a tribute to Brian.
“Our family came to Westfield in the 1850s and are so proud to be from Westfield. Brian was so proud to be from Westfield, and proud to be an Irishman. I think daily of all the families affected, multiplied many times,” Ann Murphy said, adding, “We look forward to being here every year, God willing.”
The ceremony and reception followed at 6 p.m. at the Sons of Erin at 22 Williams St. in Westfield to remember the Westfield victims of Sept. 11.
