Local news

Centre County community honors Lt. Jonas Panik on 25th anniversary of 9/11

STATE COLLEGE -- Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, members of the Centre County community gathered Friday morning to remember those who lost their lives, including Bellefonte native Navy Lt. Jonas M. Panik.

The memorial service, held at 10 a.m. at Centre County Memorial Park and Haky/Georgiana Centre County Funeral Home, honored Panik, who was 26 when he was killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

Panik was a Bellefonte Area High School graduate and U.S. Naval Academy graduate who served as a naval intelligence officer. He was working at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building.

The ceremony opened with remarks from David Dimmick and an opening prayer from Rabbi David Ostrich of Congregation Brit Shalom. The Keystone Big Band performed the national anthem and "Battle Hymn of the Republic," followed by remarks from Alpha Fire Chief Brian Bittner and state Representative Paul Takac.

"We did know things would be different for us all, but I personally held on to the belief that no matter what occurs, our country would come together and survive," Bittner said.

Takac talked about the importance of anniversaries when remembering to never forget that day.

"Anniversaries are very unique and can be very powerful moments in our lives," Takac said. "We certainly take time to remember and reflect. We can take stock of where we are. We can also think about where we want to go, where we should be, and how we can get there."

The ceremony also included remarks from state representatives Scott Conklin and state Kerry Benninghoff.

"No one blamed the lack of security. We began to come together as one. Republican, Democrat, independent -- it no longer mattered," Conklin said. "Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim -- it didn't matter. We were there for one reason. We were there to be together."

The service included several traditional military tributes, including a gun salute by Pine Grove Mills VFW Post 5825 and "Taps," performed by David Strouse.

Bagpiper Kariann Owens performed "Flowers of the Forest," "Going Home" and "Amazing Grace" throughout the ceremony. The Nittany American Legion Post 245 also participated in the military honor service for Panik.

A presentation of the American flag was made to Panik's niece, Laylana Stanley. Panik's sister, Martina Panik-Stanley, was not present at the local ceremony because she was invited to participate in remembrance events at the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. Her daughter represented the family at Friday's ceremony.

A video tribute, titled "Honoring the Legacy of Lieutenant Jonas M. Panik," was shown during the ceremony, highlighting Panik's life and military service.

Panik's identified remains are buried at Centre County Memorial Park alongside his parents. His unidentified remains are also commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery.

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Dimmick, followed by the Keystone Big Band performing "American Patrol" and an "Anchors Aweigh" tribute.

The ceremony served not only as a remembrance of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, but also as a way to ensure Panik's life and military service continue to be remembered in the Centre County community where he grew up.