(09/10/06) BRIDGEPORT - The 5th annual ?Blue Mass? was held in Bridgeport Sunday to commemorate the lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Bridgeport's Saint Augustine Cathedral hosted this special mass in honor of southwestern Connecticut's first responders. Sunday was the first time the event took place on the eve of the anniversary. Firefighters, police officers and EMTs were all honored at the event. A stethoscope, firefighter?s helmet and police hat sat at the alters as symbols of the fallen rescuers.

Chuck Cachowski of Stamford Fire and Rescue, police officer and deacon Kenneth Ruge of the Bridgeport Police Department, and EMT Alan Yoder of Westport EMS all received special awards during the ceremony.