Patriot’s Day at the CHEER Center in Georgetown Honors 9/11

GEORGETOWN, Del.– September 11,2001 remains a defining moment in American History. Twenty-five years later, the CHEER center is honoring the strength and courage displayed on that fateful day.

One speaker, Debra Burlingame shared how she lost her brother Charles, a pilot on American Airlines Flight 77. Burlingame spoke about how her and her brother were very close, joking with each other often.

“He just wasn’t a mean kid at all,” Burlingame said.” “he was really a good guy, in fact he joined the Blue and Gold Association and he talked to kids about a career in the military.”

Claudia Matteo also shared her experience with 9/11 as someone who worked on the twenty-fifth floor of the world financial center.

“I felt the impact of the first plane hitting the tower and our building was connected to the first tower,” Matteo said. “My cubicle faced the building and I turned and saw fiery pieces of the building passing my window.”

Matteo also shares what went through her mind when she realized that the attack was not an accident.

“My body and mind just took over,” Matteo said. “Like you lose the conscious thought and you just do what your mind and body tell you.”

But at the end of the day, Matteo and Burlingame both say the opportunity to share their stories has become a calling– a way to make sure the younger generations never forget.

“To be given the opportunity to share my story and for it to have touched people like that helps with my healing,” Matteo said.

While patriot’s day is a time to remember those who fought for our freedom, here at the CHEER center it’s also about bringing the communtiy together.