People across Lackawanna County paused Friday to remember and reflect on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, as the nation marked 25 years since the terrorist attacks.
In Clarks Summit, about 60 people gathered for a dedication ceremony for a plaque honoring the life of borough native and Abington Heights High School graduate Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, who was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11 when terrorists crashed the airliner into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York. The plaque was initially erected in 2007 at State and Depot streets but was moved this month to the Finish Shop Pocket Park when officials removed the clock tower that the plaque sat in front of. The ceremony included remarks from Morabito’s brother, Craig DeFazio, and music performed by the Abington Heights Honor Choir.
Meanwhile, the Lackawanna County 9/11 Memorial Committee marked the anniversary at the Lackawanna County 9/11 Memorial in McDade Park in Scranton. Participating in the ceremony were first responders, veterans’ groups and students.
In addition, the Scranton officials and the city’s Fire Department hosted a flag-raising ceremony at a new pole at Station 4 in North Scranton honoring the contributions of Eagle Scout Andrew John “Jack” Polansky Jr., of Scranton, a member of Scouting America Troop 50. John — whose father, Scranton Fire Capt. Andy Polansky, is entering his 25th year with the department — installed the flagpole for his Eagle Scout project in time for Sept. 11 to create a meaningful tribute for the SFD and the community.
People recite the Pledge of Allegiance during a dedication to a plaque in honor of Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, a Clarks Summit native who died during the September 11, 2001 attacks, in Finish Line Pocket Park Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Dana Boyland, choir director at Abington Heights High School, leads the honor choir during the dedication of a plaque in memory of Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, a Clarks Summit native who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Clarks Summit Borough Council President Gerrie Carey reads a biography of Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, a borough native who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks during a dedication of the plaque honoring her in Finish Line Pocket Park Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Craig DeFazio, brother of the late Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, speaks to the crowd during a dedication of a plaque honoring his late sister Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
(Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
The plaque to Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, a Clarks Summit native who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks, sits in the Finish Line Pocket Park Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Gathered at a dedication to a plaque honoring Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, a Clarks Summit native who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks are, from left, Borough Council President Gerrie Carey; Borough Manager Jenn Basalyga; Father Andrew McCarroll, associated pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish and the Church of St. Gregory; Craig DeFazio, brother of the late Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito; Jessica Pagana-DeFazio, wife of Craig DeFazio and sister-in-law of the late Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito; Police Chief Kevin Yetkowskas and Mayor Harry Kelly. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Clarks Summit resident Pat Grady looks at the plaque dedicated to Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, a borough native who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks, following a dedication of the plaque in Finish Line Pocket Park Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Craig DeFazio, brother of the late Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, speaks to the crowd next to the plaque honoring his sister during a dedication ceremony Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Father Andrew McCarroll, associated pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish and Church of St. Gregory, delivers the benediction during a dedication of a plaque honoring Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, a Clarks Summit native who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks, in the Finish Line Pocket Park Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Scranton Police Department officers salute during a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at McDade Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. It is the 25th anniversary of the attacks. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Police Department officers participate in a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at McDade Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. It is the 25th anniversary of the attacks. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Eagle Scout Jack Polansky Jr., third from right and son of Scranton Fire Capt. Andy Polansky, addresses a crowd at an event celebrating the installation of a new flagpole and tribute at
Station 4, 1047 N. Main Ave., Scranton on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Fire Department members take part in an Eagle Scout project unveiling with Scouting America Troop 50. Jack Polansky Jr., son of Scranton Fire Capt. Andy Polansky, worked to install a new flagpole in time for September 11 to create a meaningful tribute for the SFD and the community at
Station 4, N. Main Avenue, Scranton, on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
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Scranton Police Chief Tom Carroll addresses attendees at a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at McDade Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. It is the 25th anniversary of the attacks. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
A member of the Northeast Detachment Marine Corps League takes part in a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at McDade Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. It is the 25th anniversary of the attacks. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
West Scranton high school students participate in a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at McDade Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. It is the 25th anniversary of the attacks. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti presents Eagle Scout Jack Polansky Jr., Troop 50, with a proclamation from the city at Station 4, N. Main Avenue in Scranton. As his Eagle Scout project, Polansky worked to raise funds and install a new flagpole in time for the Sept. 11 anniversary as a way to create a meaningful tribute for the SFD and the community.
Scranton Fire Department members participate in a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at McDade Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. It is the 25th anniversary of the attacks. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
A member of the Northeast Detachment Marine Corps League takes part in a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at McDade Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. It is the 25th anniversary of the attacks. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
The Endless Mountains Composite Squadron 201 present the American flag at a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at at McDade Park in Scranton on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Police Department officers participate in a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at McDade Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. It is the 25th anniversary of the attacks. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
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People recite the Pledge of Allegiance during a dedication to a plaque in honor of Laura Lee DeFazio Morabito, a Clarks Summit native who died during the September 11, 2001 attacks, in Finish Line Pocket Park Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)