Remembering 9/11, coast to coast

As the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon hit last week, it was again American Legion Family members leading commemorations to honor those victims – as well as those passengers on Flight 93 whose valiant efforts brought down their plane before it could hit another target.

We’ve put together a small sampling of how Legion posts observed 9/11 in their communities, through traditional ceremonies or other ways.

And a reminder that those posts that hosted, coordinated or took part in 9/11 commemorations – or do so for any other patriotic or memorial observations – can share their stories and photos at Legiontown.org.

Arizona

In Peoria, John J. Morris Post 62 started the day with more than a dozen American Legion Riders kicking the event off pulling up to the post. The post color guard placed the flag, the chaplain delivered a prayer, and speeches were delivered by members of the post, Auxiliary, Riders and Sons of The American Legion. After a closing prayer, attendees went back inside to reflect on what happened that day and how much it changed our nation.

California

In Red Bluff, American Legion Post 167 joined with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post for a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the intersection of Pine and Market Street. An honor guard fired volleys, and the posts hosted a lunch at the Red Bluff Veterans Hall.

“I would hope that the kids, the young ones, would understand that some of us get a little teary-eyed when we see that flag,” said Dale Gibson, the public information officer for Post 167. “Some of us put some time in. I did three active and 19 in the guard, 22 years of my life, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat because it's worth doing.”

Colorado

In Colorado Springs, Neal Thomas Jr. Centennial Post 209 conducted its annual 9-11 Remembrance Walk. Several Post 209 Legion Family members, as well as others in the area, took part in a three-mile walk while carrying U.S., Legion and American Legion Auxiliary flags around Colorado Springs Memorial Park. Everyone carried a flag.

The walk included stops at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, where Sons of The American Legion Detachment Commander and retired firefighter Rob Berry shared his 9-11 story and ended at the Peace Officer's Memorial.

Delaware

American Legion Post 28 in Oak Orchard conducted a candlelight ceremony in its outdoor pavilion to honor the heroes who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The service opened with the commencement parade of the American Legion Riders and wreath-placing and flag-folding ceremonies. Also part of the event was a POW/MIA ceremony, a candlelight ceremony and a 21-gun salute.

Florida

In Palm Day, American Legion Riders Chapter 117 started the day with an Honor and Remembrance Ride and provided an escort as Post 117’s Legion Family delivered meals to local first responders.

Idaho

In Post Falls, Stephen H. Nipp Post 143 Legionnaire Ken Johnson currently serves as the coordinator and captain of the post’s honor guard. On Sept. 11, 2011, he was working at the Pentagon when a plane crashed into it. He avoided being killed and spent 22 hours working on recovery operations.

Johnson and other Post 143 members set up a display of 9/11 memorabilia and artifacts, including a piece from the plane that crashed into the Pentagon at the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office’s 9/11 ceremony.

“It’s part of our history,” Johnson said. “I just think it's important that people remember what happened.” 

American Legion North Idaho Area Commander Dee Sasse agrees it’s important to teach current and future generations about the significance of the terrorist attacks and lives lost during them. “So many kids that were born after 9/11 are not being taught about it in school,” she said.

Illinois

·       In Quincy, American Legion Post 37 took part in a ceremony at City Hall’s 9/11 Memorial that included dozens of police officers, firefighters, local government officials and other community members. The post’s honor guard fired a rifle valley while a trumpeter played taps. “(Hearing) taps never gets easier,” said Jeffrey Bauman, American Legion Riders Chapter 37 director. “It’s not just the ones who are at war — the first responders, the families who have sacrificed, all the families who lost loved ones on 9/11. It’s a reminder of those loved ones who will never come home.” Also in remembrance of 9/11, members of Post 37’s American Legion Family spent part of the day cleaning the headstones at Quincy National Cemetery.

·       In Bloomington, dozens showed up outside the McLean County Museum of History to attend American Legion Post 635’s 9/11 memorial service.

Michigan

In Howell, it was a busy day for members of American Legion Post 141. The post was invited to officiate the Patriot Day event at Serene Gardens in Hartland that included the opening of Hartland’s Wall of Heroes.  Members of Post 141 also attended the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Brighton.

Meanwhile, members of American Legion Riders Chapter 141 visited the Flight 93 Memorial to honor the fallen from that flight.

North Carolina

In Hertford, American Legion Post 126 joined with local officials and Perquimans County residents for a ceremony at the Perquimans County Recreation Center Wednesday evening. As part of the observance, American Legion Post 126 recreated part of the ceremony held earlier in the day at the site of the former World Trade Center to remember the victims of 9/11. The Legion held moments of silence to mark the key moments of the attack, each one after post member Dean Engelhardt tolled a ceremonial bell. The post closed the ceremony by presenting a wreath honoring those who died during the attacks.

In Lincolnton, American Legion Post 30 conducted a ceremony that included a speech by retired Army Colonel Henry Haynes, a chaplain assigned at the Pentagon when it was attacked. The post also held a lunch for local first responders.

Pennsylvania

In Unity Township, American Legion Post 982’s parking lot served as the site for a remembrance ceremony – the first Patriot Day observation the post has conducted.  Post 982 is just around 40 miles from where Flight 93 crashed.

“For me, it just hits home because it’s my people around me,” Post 982 Commander Jerry Dean said. “It’s affected our community, and it shows that we’re not alone.”

A bell rang for each plane that crashed, while dignitaries delivered remarks.

Between the sounding of the bell for each plane that crashed, dignitaries and other guests took time to recall where they were that day and honor those lost. Following the ceremony, the post served refreshments to attendees.

“Your presence underscores the importance of this moment and reinforces our collective resolve to never forget and to always strive for a better, more compassionate world,” Dean said. “May we carry forward the legacy of those who sacrifice so much and honor them through our actions, our support for one another and our commitment to building a future where the values of courage and community prevail.”

U.S. Virgin Islands

In Frederiksted, American Legion Post 133 hosted its annual 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony that was attended by around 60 people. During the course of the ceremony, the names of the seven St. Croix residents killed during the attacks were read. Family members of the fallen were present among the attendees.

Following the ceremony, attendees moved outside to witness the laying of a commemorative wreath and a rifle salute.

Texas

American Legion Hunter-Morris Post 911 partnered with the City of Cedar Park Parks and Recreation Department to host a 9/11 community remembrance ceremony in the Veterans Memorial Park amphitheater. Texas Veterans Commission Chair Laura Koerner served as the keynote speaker for the event, while other participants in the ceremony included area high school ROTC programs, Cedar Park first responders and other community members.

“On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists robbed America of more than 3,000 lives,” Post 911 said during the event. “In bringing down the World Trade Center, damaging the Pentagon and downing an airliner in a Pennsylvania field, that day ranks as the most devastating in our nation’s history. On that day we vowed we would never forget. 

“Thank you for being here this evening to honor the military personnel, first responders, emergency communications, and emergency medical service workforce who continue to work together every day to provide for our safety and lifesaving measures. We must remain committed to supporting those who are willing to serve to keep us safe and protect our way of life.”

Virginia

In Vienna, Dyer-Gunnell Post 180 hosted a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Vienna Community Center that brought together local leaders and members of the community. The ceremony’s guest speaker was American Legion National Security Commission Chairman Matthew Shuman, while the Town of Vienna Band provided music.