Crowd Gathers by Candlelight to Remember 9/11

During a candlelight vigil Sunday night, the town not only paid tribute to the victims of 9/11 but also to the spirit of resilience, compassion, togetherness, service and rebuilding that immediately followed the terrorist attacks 10 years ago.

“So tonight we gather as a community to remember those lost, remember those heroes, remember those who have and continue to serve in our fire, police, EMS and armed services to keep our county safe and finally we recommit to the best qualities of our country,” First Selectman Richard Barlow said.

The evening featured performances by the Canton High School Chamber Singers as well as remarks from Heather Toyen, whose sister Amy was killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Toyen talked about the generosity and consideration Americans showed each other in the days following the attacks and thanked Canton Police Officer Joseph Capaldo for helping the family breaking the news to her grandmother.

“I ask you, please remember those that were lost and the service people that helped and who also lost their own lives,” Toyen said. “Live your life without regrets. You never know who might take it away from you. Hug your family and friends and appreciate every minute you have, and thanks for remembering that 2,977 is not just a number. It represents mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, daughters and sons, firefighters and police. They are the people that we lost 10 years ago and I’d like to think that this is a brighter and peaceful tomorrow.”

Other members of the Toyen family in attendance included Heather and Amy’s grandparents, Ernest and Salena Blake, and Dinny Toyen.

Two others with special connections to the Toyen family also came. Robert Kornfeld, a retired East Hartford Police Officer, went to New York with a search and rescue K9 unit in September of 2001. He worked with a cousin of the Toyen girls at the time and met Heather about two years ago.

Nancy Benson of Collinsville met Heather Toyen for the first time Sunday night but has felt a connection with the family. Her due date was Sept. 11, 2001, and she remembers being anxious about having a baby that day. The baby held out, but on Sept. 19, her daughter Amy was born.

She was so thrilled to have her Amy, but after hearing Amy Toyen’s story, always felt sad that the Toyens had lost theirs.

“I always felt kind of a connection,” Benson said. “I wanted to let her know I think of her sister all the time, especially this time of year.”

The evening also featured honor guards from the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department and veterans from American Legion Post #90 of Collinsville and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9372 in Canton.

The Rev. Jim Wheeler, pastor of Collinsville Congregational Church, and the Rev. Linda Spiers of Trinity Episcopal Church offered the invocation and benediction.

Wheeler talked of the loss but also of the need to find faith. He also paid tribute.

Wheeler said, “We remember today over 3,000 of our fellow Americas who lost their lives in one day, those who left for work that day and never returned home. Our hearts grieve for them and their families.”

Kathy Corkum, first selectman at the time of the attacks, read “We Shall Never Forget” by Alan W. Jankowski.

The volunteer Fire and EMS Department closed the evening with a bell ceremony, honoring the tradition of bells used in the fire service. Traditionally they marked the beginning of the workday, start and end of a call and the passing of a comrade.

"When a firefighter or EMT had died in the line of duty, paying the supreme sacrifice it was mournful toll of the bell that solemnly announced a comrade’s passing," Capt. Wayne Goeben said.

"So to those who have selflessly given their lives to the good of their fellow man, their task completed, their duties well done, to our comrades, their last alarm, they’re going home."

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