By Sarah Scinto, Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice
WILKES-BARRE — People passing through Public Square on Sunday could not help but stop and examine a sculpture that is not usually there.
The sculpture was perched atop a metal beam and featured a helmet suspended over two hands that appeared to cup the invisible face of a weary firefighter.
The artist, Kendal Hancock, waited nearby with his dog, Victor, to ask those who stopped to sign their name to his guest book with a few of their thoughts on the sculpture he calls “September Grief.” He said he brought it to Public Square in honor of the 15th anniversary of Sept. 11 terror attacks.
Hancock said the sculpture was inspired by an image of a first responder to the attacks holding his face in his hands.
“That image was just ingrained in my mind,” he said.
He has shown the sculpture in various locations throughout the area including Wyoming Seminary, but this weekend was the first time he showcased it on Public Square.
He said he left the sculpture without a specific firefighter’s face to allow any firefighter or first responder to see themselves in it and take a moment to release their emotions.
“I’d hoped to see a firefighter stand by this and see a tear,” he said. “I think you can’t release an emotion until you shed a tear.”
While several communities remembered the terror attacks of 15 years ago on Sunday, more memorials are planned for today. They include:
• Misericordia University will hold a Constant Flag Carry ceremony today from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in honor of the anniversary. Members of the campus community will take turns carrying the United States flag around campus throughout the day.
The event will start with a remembrance service at 8:30 a.m. in the Wells Fargo Amphitheater on campus and will include prayers and readings from students, faculty and staff and feature the presentation of the colors by members of the Dallas American Legion.
• Luzerne County Community College will hold a remembrance ceremony today at 9 a.m. at the college’s Walk of Honor at the LCCC Public Safety Training Institute.
• Queen of Apostles Parish in Avoca will also host its annual Sept. 11 Memorial Mass at 7 p.m. today. Prior to the Mass, there will be a procession from the Avoca Fire Department, 740 Main St., to the church.
The procession will include first responders, borough officials, police departments, fire companies, ambulance and rescue squads, fire police, military personnel, American Legion members, Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Post 8335, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Avoca Division; state Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Avoca, Boy Scout Troop 316 Committee Chairman John Sepcoski, Boy Scout Troop 316 Scoutmaster Matt Fino, Boy Scout Troop 316 Assistant Scoutmaster Joe Babkowski, Cub Pack 316 Cubmaster Christina Comstock, Venture Crew 3701 Leader Janice Sepcoski and members of Boy Scout Troop 316, Cub Pack 316 and Venture Crew 3701.
