NORTH SMITHFIELD – Two days after the 20 year anniversary of terrorist attacks that took thousands of American lives, North Smithfield residents will gather to remember and honor a young woman from town who died in the tragedy.
And organizers invite all who lost someone in the events on September 11, 2001 to come and speak the names of others who should be remembered.
The town’s 9/11 commemoration will be held at Slater Park, on Monday, Sept. 13, by a monument erected in memory of Amy Jarret, a 28-year-old flight attendant and North Smithfield resident, who was killed on board United Airlines Flight 175 when it crashed into the South Tower. Jarret, the daughter Aram Jarret and Marilyn Trudeau, attended Mount Saint Charles Academy, graduating from Villanova University in 1994 before starting her career in the skies.
The initiative to mark the landmark anniversary was prompted by resident Mary Cimini, a fellow Mount graduate who reached out to Town Administrator Paul Zwolenski.
“I thought we should do something,” said Cimini, who has organized a commemoration that will include laying a wreath by the granite memorial tribute to the late flight attendant at the small Slatersville park. “It’s the 20th anniversary, and that’s a big thing to me.”
Cimini also reached out to Jarret’s family, and notes that members will be visiting New York City – the site of the attack – on actual date marking two decades since her death.
On September 13, there will be a brief speaking program and a moment of silence. North Smithfield Fire Chief David Chartier will ring the fire bell, and anyone who hopes to remember someone lost in the tragedy will be invited to say their name.
“This is a remembrance of all the lives lost that day,” Cimini said.
The memorial, which stands in the park just across the road from Cumberland Farms, was donated by Roland Verrier in September 2002, providing a permanent reminder of the day North Smithfield lost one of its own in events that would come to shape the nation’s history.
“Life, as in flying, forget the baggage – always travel light,” notes the tribute to Jarrett. “You are the wind beneath our wings.”
Cimini, who was in the second graduating class of women from the private, Catholic school in neighboring Woonsocket, said that while she did not know Jarret personally, she has felt compelled over the years to honor her fellow Mountie on behalf of the institution.
“I have tried to go up there every September 11 and lay flowers,” she said.
Cimini notes that much like the day when the late President John F. Kennedy was shot, everyone remembers where they were when they learned planes had struck NYC’s Twin Towers.
“For me, it’s always been poignant,” she said.
Cimini is still working with town officials to finalize some details of the commemoration, but notes it will last around 30 to 45 minutes and start at 6 p.m. that Monday, likely rain or shine.
She notes that everyone, including Zwolenski, has been supportive of the idea.
“He was so happy that I reached out,” Cimini said of the administrator. “There’s a lot of division in the town, and this is something we can do to bring people together.”
Zwolenski will offer brief remarks, and said he hopes many attend to mark the anniversary.
“Hopefully, there will be a lot of people who show up,” he said.
Cimini has not yet received the official go-ahead, but said she believes guests will be able to park at Slatersville Plaza. NRI NOW will publish more details that become available closer to the date of the event.
“I’m hoping there will be a good turnout,” said Cimini. “It’s important to remember the losses people have had.”
