CASSADAGA CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
article from Jamestown Post Journal
Cassadaga Residents Fill Ames Common For Candlelight Service
By ALPHA HUSTED
CASSADAGA — Local residents on Friday night turned out en masse for a candlelight vigil that evolved into much more than Mayor Michael Ferry had anticipated.
A crowd of about 300 people gathered at Ames Common. The group included mothers and fathers pushing baby carriages and strollers, grandparents bearing small flags and teen-agers pulling at the hands of their smaller brothers and sisters.
There were flickering candles and prayers for those who died during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a jetliner that crashed in Pennsylvania's Somerset County.
And, there was more. Local legionnaires and volunteer firemen from Stockton, Cassadaga and Lily Dale ignited more than 200 flares that were placed between U. S. flags lining Maple Avenue, Main Street and the common.
''The firemen wanted to take part in the project as a tribute to the 200 or more fellow firefighers in New York City who were killed, and to the others who continue to risk their lives in rescue operations,'' said Karl Lawson, commander of Cassadaga American Legion Post 1280.
''Earlier today, I guess it was about 11 a.m.,'' he said ''Craig Nickerson, a member of the Sons of the Legion, got the idea of lighting flares around the lake. Then, when we heard about the candle vigil at the common, we decided to add the flares to the flags that were already out.
''From that moment on it was a fight against time. First, we had to find the flares. The Cassadaga Lakes Association donated 84 and we picked up 144 more from the Chautauqua Lake Association.''
Lawson said local firefighters were eager to take part in the project. ''Without their help, we couldn't have pulled it off,'' he said. ''I have to admit, I got tears in my eyes, when all those flares were lit. This is Small Town, USA, where Americanism and volunteerism all started, and where they're still alive and well.''
Later at the common, Ferry asked the crowd to pray for all the families who lost loved ones and for the rescue workers, police officers and firemen who ''are working so hard to save those who may still be alive and under the rubble.''
''When I drove back into town after work this afternoon I was overwhelmed at the number of flags that were displayed,'' the mayor said. ''I am very proud of all of you, and I am very proud to be an American.''
The service ended with special prayers offered by Paster David Diffenderfer of the Cassadaga Community Baptist Church and patriotic songs led by Deputy Mayor Mary Lou Carlson.
The crowd also let out a steady chant of ''U-S-A, U-S-A'' as the candles burned out and they headed back to their homes.
article from Dunkirk Observer
United we stand
Cassadaga community shows the spirit of America
By JOAN JOSEPHSON
OBSERVER Staff Writer
CASSADAGA — American flags and flares lined Cassadaga's main streets and circled Ames Common Friday night as an estimated 300 community members came together in a show of unity, remembrance and mourning.
"I felt we had to do something and I thought a candlelight vigil would be appropriate," Cassadaga Mayor Mike Ferry said Friday of his plan to honor those who lost their lives in Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
Cassadaga American Legion Post 1280 members also felt "something should be done" and on Wednesday, hung American Flags from every utility pole along Main Street and Maple Avenue.
Early Friday morning, the Sons of the Legion began putting together plans to circle the community with flares.
The mayor's and the Legion's ideas joined together Friday in the candle-lit flag and flare ceremony held at Ames Common, a small park area that sits in the heart of Cassadaga's four corners.
The Rev. David Diffenderfer prayed that peace, comfort and safety would come to those who have suffered losses because of the terrorist attacks.
"We must also pay special tribute to those who are part of the rescue efforts," he said.
This message was echoed in Ferry's remarks to the crowd that included residents of Stockton and Lily Dale as well as those from Cassadaga.
Concluding his brief speech, Ferry said, "Those of you who have come together here tonight are a shining example of what America is all about. God Bless America."
After leading the gathering in singing a series of patriotic songs, Deputy Mayor Mary Jo Carlson thanked everyone who turned out for Friday's ceremony for "showing your love and support for our country."
Assisting with the flare lighting were members of the Cassadaga, Lily Dale and Stockton volunteer fire departments.
"I believe close to 50 firefighters showed up in uniform to help with the program and as a show of respect for their New York City brothers," Cassadaga resident and legionnaire Karl Lawson said.
Two other Cassadaga residents, Joyce Josephson and Ginny VanPoortvliet, both said they felt compelled to attend Friday's service.
"Each time I see the television pictures of the devastation, I start to cry. I needed to show my respect for the people who died," Mrs. VanPoortvliet said.
Mrs. Josephson said ceremonies like the one Cassadaga held Friday are important. "They bring people together in a meaningful and touching way," she said.
A similar event was held Friday afternoon at Cassadaga Elementary School as 285 students in grades kindergarten through grade five gathered outdoors around the flag pole from which the American Flag flew at half-staff.
"We are here to show unity and demonstrate our care and concern for those who have lost their lives, their families and those who were injured in the terrorist attacks," Principal Roberta Traks said.
The children were joined by the entire school staff in singing The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America.
As the students returned to their classrooms to prepare to go home, Mrs. Traks said she thinks the youngsters are handling the tragedy fairly well.
"I believe this can be attributed to parents talking with their children about the attack. The staff, as well, have been answering questions the students have asked since
Tuesday," she said.
A number of these youngsters wore red, while and blue clothing as a demonstration of their support for their country.
One of these was 8-year-old Brenton Wilcox, who, at 6 a.m. Friday, helped his mother, Gayle, hang a 20-foot by 40-foot American flag from the second floor out door balcony of the family's Bachellor Hill Road home.
Explaining the flag was a gift from a neighbor, the late Don Fowler Sr., Mrs. Wilcox said, "I thought it would be a good tribute to everyone affected in any way by the terrorist attack."
The fact that her husband, Barry, and Don Fowler Jr., are both commercial airline pilots also played a part in this decision she said.
This Wilcox's giant flag is joined by a myriad of others that are being flown from the homes and front lawns of residents of the Cassadaga community and others throughout the country.
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