Monroe part of nationwide remembrance services

MONROE — The Village of Monroe was among the thousands of communities nationwide paying homage to the families and victims of 9/11 on Sunday. The ecumenical community service of remembrance and thanksgiving included comments from police, fire, EMS and elected officials and featured prayer and song. (A copy of the communal prayer appears on page 13.) Monroe’s 9/11 services has always included a litany of remembrance, which was offered again this year and recited by almost 500 people holding lit candles on the late summer evening. Route 17M was closed to traffic during the almost hour long program, with fire trucks parked along the roadway. In the middle of the road was a hook and ladder fire truck, flying an American flag from the top rung of the raised ladder reaching into the evening sky. - Nancy Kriz