NORTH SMITHFIELD – At a ceremony recalling the tragic events of September 11, 2001, North Smithfield residents honored a young woman from town who died that day, and remembered the bravery and contributions of all who played a role in helping others during the attack.
Town Council President John Beauregard has announced an initiative to create a day in honor of Amy Jarret, a 28-year-old flight attendant from North Smithfield who was killed on board United Airlines Flight 175 when it crashed into the South Tower.
At least 70 residents showed up for the event marking the anniversary of the loss by a memorial in Jarret’s name in Slatersville.
“Two decades ago, the Jarret-Trudeau family were stunned, and broken hearted as they watched television news reports. They knew Amy was on one of those planes,” said Town Administrator Paul Zwolenski. “Their family and thousands of other families were changed forever at a magnitude we cannot fathom.”
Beauregard noted that Jarret, and others who served in her role, were the unsung heroes that day, putting their own fears aside to attend to passengers, help the wounded and calm others.
“A group of people who don’t get the recognition is the flight attendants. They did heroic things, and I think they should be acknowledged. They were just as heroic as other people we hear about,” Beauregard later said. “I’m sure they were very scared.”
Beauregard pointed to the documented case of one flight attendant’s bravery as she snuck away from the chaos to call the tower on her cell phone, and gave a description of the hijackers and their weapons.
“That information later became crucial to the investigation into who was behind the attacks,” he said.
Beauregard said a proclamation officially making the flight attendant’s birthday, October 3, “Amy Jarret Day,” will be brought before the Town Council at their meeting on Monday, Sept. 20. The resolution is co-sponsored by Councilor Kimberly Alves, who Beauregard noted was a friend of Jarret’s.
The daughter of Aram Jarret and Marilyn Trudeau, Amy graduated from Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket in 1990 and Villanova University in 1994, before starting her career.
Officials at the private, Catholic school also celebrated the life of the young woman, who died in the second plane to hit the World Trade Center in New York City, announcing a new scholarship in her name. Contributions to the new Amy Jarret ’90 Memorial Scholarship can be made here.
Jarret’s father and sister also spoke at Monday’s commemoration, and local talent Natalie de Rezendes sang for the crowd gathered at Slater Park.
Zwolenski, who helped to organize the memorial event along with resident Mary Cimini, said he was impressed with the turnout.
“It far exceeded my expectations,” Zwolenski said.
Beauregard noted that while it is common for the council to honor of outstanding residents for a single day, Monday’s proclamation is expected to carry on in perpetuity and be marked every year on October 4.
“The town is fortunate to have a hero like Amy come from here,” he said.
Update: Councilors unanimously approved the resolution on Monday, Sept. 20.
