Community Remembers 9/11 Victims

Firefighters, police officers, medics, soldiers and veterans from Upper St. Clair and around the area gathered Tuesday night to remember the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Firefighters, police officers, medics, soldiers and veterans from around the area gathered Tuesday night at the Bridgeville fire hall to remember the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks 11 years ago. The Knights of Columbus in Bridgeville formed an honor guard to salute the first responders and military members–both active duty and retired–and to honor their service. Some of the firefighters who attended were from Bridgeville, Presto, Rennerdale, South Fayette, Fairview, East Carnegie, Bower Hill, Upper St. Clair and Cecil. Two Bridgeville police officers, a Pennsylvania state police trooper, a SouthBridge medic and two Army soldiers accompanied them for the service. A moment of silence was held for the nearly 3,000 victims killed in the…

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Remembering Sept. 11 and Telling the Story

I remember everything I did on Sept. 11, 2001, but telling the story isn’t easy.

Sept. 11, 2001 is the day that marks the difference between when I was a kid, and when I started growing up. I was 15 years old in the fall of 2001, a sophomore in high school, and an aspiring … something-or-other. It happened on a Tuesday, and I wasn’t thinking much beyond Friday. But when I remember that day, I don’t just remember what happened. I remember everything. The clothes I wore to school, what I ate for lunch, my class schedule and who I sat next to are still clear in my mind, as though I’m about to wake up tomorrow and do it again. It’s the uneasy feeling I remember most, because I knew my teachers—the people we looked to for stability and explanation—were scared. Worse, I remember the indescribable feeling of realizing it wasn…

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Western PA Soldier Dies In Afghanistan

Eric Holman was part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The nephew of an Upper St. Clair couple was killed in Afghanistan Wednesday, according to the Department of Defense. Staff Sgt. Eric S. Holman, 39, of Evans City, Butler County, died of wounds suffered when he came into contact with an improvised explosive device in the Ghazni province. He was the son of David Holman and nephew of Sal and Kathy Crisanti of Upper St. Clair, and he had a 7-year-old son. Eric Holman was assigned to 192nd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, 20th Support Command, Fort Bragg, N.C. “He loved his country,” David Holman told KDKA-TV. “He was very patriotic and he just felt that he needed to do what he needed to do, and he wanted to have an impact.” A 1990 graduate of Avonworth High School, Holman also attended…

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Touched By Terror

Patch Remembers 9/11 in 911 Snapshots

Upper St. Clair Journalists Recall 9/11 on 10th Anniversary

Peggie Kunicki, an assignment editor, and Chris Kunicki, a photographer, covered the 9/11 attacks for TV news.

Ten years ago, an Upper St. Clair couple worked on the biggest news story of their lives.  Three planes crashed into the twin towers and the Pentagon. Flight 93 crashed in Pittsburgh's own backyard—in Shanksville, Somerset County. "It was a crisp, crystal blue, bright summer day," said Peggie Kunicki. "One of those days that could have been a perfect day." Peggie is an assignment editor for WTAE and was working the morning the attacks took place. "It started off as one of those slow news mornings. The biggest story going on was a Krispy Kreme opening its first store in Cranberry," Peggie said. "And then someone yelled across the newsroom, 'Look at Good Morning America, one of the towers is on fire.' "It was complete, dead silence in the …

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PatchCast: Paws for the Cause, Short Film Premiere & New Coach

A roundup of the region's top stories for Tuesday, Aug. 30.

Here are today's top stories from Patch sites in your region: A Barking Good Time: Paws for the Cause Benefit at Peterswood Park Upper St. Clair Short Film Set to Premiere Wednesday 'Tin Man' Fire Truck Honors FDNY New BHS Girls Basketball Coach Ready to Meet Challenge

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PatchCast: Flood Tragedy, New Stores & Mylan Classic Announcement

A roundup of the region's top stories for Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Here are today's top stories from Patch sites in your region: Remembering the Local Victims of the Flash Flooding Dormont Mayor Suspends Acting Chief, Council Reinstates 9/11, bin Laden and Islam: A Pittsburgh Catholic-Turned-Muslim Explains His Religion South Hills Village Adds Two New Stores John Daly and Rocco Mediate to Compete in Mylan Classic

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Osama bin Laden Killed in Pakistan

President Obama announces the top al-Qaida chief and 9/11 mastermind was killed in a raid.

President Barack Obama has announced that Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader who masterminded the Sept. 11 attacks, is dead. Obama addressed the nation during a late-night press conference in which he said an American military operation killed bin Laden in Pakistan where he was believed to be hiding for nearly a decade. Obama said a small team of Americans were able to kill the al-Qaeda leader and recover his body. The intelligence community apparently began receiving information on bin Laden’s whereabouts last August and were able to track him down to the compound in Pakistan. Obama said he authorized the “targeted operation” Sunday after receiving credible information on bid Laden’s location. None of the military personnel involved was…

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