Maine’s neighbors fly flag in support

EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Canadian firefighters raised a U.S. flag on top of a 50-foot-high ladder Friday morning as a gesture of support for their American brethren in New York City and Washington, D.C.

The flag flies high over Emerson Street, attached to a large ladder firetruck parked outside the Fire Department garage.

A few moments earlier, Mayor Jacques Martin exhorted residents to support their American friends. Flags at all municipal buildings, parks and garages in Edmundston have been flying at half-staff since Tuesday night.

Flagpoles in front of City Hall carry the flags of Canada, New Brunswick, Acadia and the traditional Republic of Madawaska.

Flags also were at half-staff at the Edmundston Post Office, the Customs and Immigration Building and other federal offices scattered around the city.

“Tuesday morning, the United States was the target of the worst terrorist attack in their history,” Martin told his citizens. “The sheer size and atrociousness of this tragedy speaks to us all.

“Nobody can remain insensitive when faced with such a horrific act … an act which has profoundly changed each and every one of us,” the mayor said. The time of 8:45 a.m. September 11, 2001, will be forever in the thoughts of friends of the United States, Martin said.

Martin then led residents in one minute of silence in support of all Americans, especially the ones hardest hit by the terrorist attacks.

Two Edmundston radio stations also went silent for the one-minute period.

All City Hall workers and those at the neighboring post office joined the mayor in the ceremony held on the side lawn of City Hall. Other residents stopped by, some stopping their cars in traffic.

After the minute of silence, the firefighters sounded their truck sirens in a show of condolence for firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel who lost their lives Tuesday morning.

Mark Doiron, a firefighter on duty at Edmundston, said the Canadian fire department acquired the U.S. flag Thursday night from Madawaska Fire Chief Norman Cyr. Many of the city’s 15 full-time and 25 volunteer firefighters took part in Friday’s flag-raising ceremony.

“We did this to show support for all of those that are missing and those working to find them,” Doiron said. “Our flags at half-mast are also a show of support and condolence.

“We just wanted to do something for the firefighters and their families who are involved in the effort,” he said. “People going by here have been sounding their car horns all day.”

The firefighter said the flag would be there for the remainder of the week during the day. It would be brought inside at night.

In Aroostook County, memorial services were held Friday at many places including the Madawaska post office, the Maine Veterans Home in Caribou and at churches throughout the area. Churches planned to hold special services through the weekend.