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The U.S. flag billowed at half-staff above Elmwood Park in honor of New York Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Todd "T.J." Lobraico Jr., a 22-year-old from neighboring New Fairfield, who was killed in combat last week in Afghanistan.
"As we gather here for our 12th annual September 11 Memorial Remembrance, the flag flies at half-staff," Mayor Mark Boughton reminded the small crowd gathered in the middle of Main Street. "The war on terror continues."
The flag, which previously flew over the U.S. Capitol, is mounted on a flagpole directly across from the city's Sept. 11 memorial -- a column filled with crushed glass and inscribed with the names of 9/11 victims with ties to the Danbury area.
Boughton led the simple ceremony, which included opening and closing prayers, the presentation of the colors, a rifle salute from the Danbury Police Honor Guard and a moving a capella rendition of the national anthem by Erick Sanchez, a vocalist from Western Connecticut State University.
In a stark reminder of the losses suffered in the community that day, the two daughters of one victim took on roles in the ceremony, as they do every year.
Robyn Higley led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Her sister, Amanda, sang "God Bless America."
Amanda was just 5 and Robyn not yet born when their father, Robert D. Higley II, a 29-year-old insurance executive who worked on the 92nd floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center, was killed. Robert Higley grew up in Ridgefield.
In closing, Boughton thanked the Danbury Council of Veterans for providing a color guard as well as the politicians, firefighters and residents who turned out to honor those killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
"Each year we assemble we think it will be easier, that the emotions will not be as raw," Boughton said. "But the reality is, every Sept. 11, we can never forget the losses that day, it's ingrained forever in our culture and in our minds."
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