September 13, 2021 at 11:22 a.m.
Local firefighters lead community's Sept. 11 remembrance
Local firefighters lead community's Sept. 11 remembrance
Nearly 3,000 people died at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va,, and near Shanksville, Pa. on that day.
"Ground Zero," where the Twin Towers once stood, was the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the attacks and the heroism displayed by so many that day, area fire departments planned a silent procession through downtown to the Oneida County Courthouse. The procession began at 9:59 a.m., to coincide with the collapse of the first of the World Trade Center towers. The trucks had their emergency lights on, but no sirens, as it was important that the event not resemble a parade,
According to Rev. Norm Peterson, Rhinelander Fire Department chaplain, the intent was for the procession to serve as memorial to those lost. Many firefighters followed the apparatus on foot, some in dress uniforms and others in full turnout gear, symbolizing the firefighters who responded after hijacked airliners struck the towers and the Pentagon.
As the procession made its way to the courthouse, spectators were encouraged to join the procession, symbolizing the civilians at the scene of the attack, those who died and those who lived.
A block from the courthouse, a giant American flag was suspended between ladder trucks from the RFD and Town of Pelican Fire Department.
"Two planes put holes in the towers, as well as our hearts, that unforgettable morning," said RFD firefighter Adam Johnson. "We are here because this day is important to us. It's important because nearly 3,000 people perished, including 60 officers and 343 firefighters. This event might be the most cataclysmic event ever to occur in our lifetimes as there is still a continuing increase of the number of deaths from complications to responding to the towers that day."
"It signifies the honor that we have within the profession. The ethical and physical oaths that we all have taken, woven into our lives like the thread that makes up our turnout gear or our uniform," he added.
While not all situations involving fire and police personnel have "the desired outcome," the desire to keep answering the call is unwavering, he noted.
"The public service men and women responding on that day had to have known they would not be returning," Johnson said. "They knew it and they went anyway. We know the number that died, but how many were saved thanks to our brothers and sisters?"
He added that those who wear firefighter gear continue to honor those who fell on 9-11 by answering the call to serve their fellow citizens in need.
"Never forget; those two words have been connected to September 11th since shortly after the events on this day 20 years ago," Peterson told the crowd assembled at the courthouse. "But what does 'never forget' mean? It means to remember, to remember, which is defined as follows: 'to make the effort to bring the event to mind.'"
Peterson went through the chronology of that day, from the perfect blue sky in New York City that morning to the black smoke that billowed by nightfall. He also remarking how television brought the scene in New York City, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania live into people's homes. He also recognized the determination of the passengers of United Flight 93 who "took action, and their plane crashed" denying the hijackers from striking a fourth target.
The chaplain encouraged those who lived through Sept. 11, 2001 to share their memories with those who were not yet born, or were too young to understand what happened, on that indelible day.
"I invite you to share the story of your experiences that day with your loved ones, with your friends and with those who do not remember," Peterson said. "Indeed, we have some among us today who were not alive that day. But they need to know."
He said that people need to also remember the acts of those who chose to respond in the days after the attacks to help with the search efforts at Ground Zero "and are still suffering for their choice."
"I believe to bring to mind 9/11 calls each one of us to live and to act for the good of others," Peterson said. "It isn't simply a choice of remembering, it is also a call to live for the good of one and another."
In addition to the RFD and Town of Pelican Fire Department, units and personnel from the following departments also took part in the ceremony: Pine Lake, Crescent, Newbold, Cassian, Monico and Lake Tomahawk. An Oneida County Ambulance also took part and a Spirit air ambulance did a flyover during the ceremony.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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