On Thursday evening, Sept. 11, American Legion and American Legion Riders of Post 170 held their annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.
The ceremony began with the national anthem sung by Pastor Russ Vallier of Otterbein Community Church, and a prayer offered by Chaplain Blaine Crellin.
Director of American Legion Riders’ Chapter 170 Mike Trumbull noted that the service would be a tribute to the thousands who died as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
“We as Americans must never forget that fateful day,” Trumbull said.
“24 years ago, our world changed forever. Today we pause to honor the 2,753 lives lost on 9/11, and the countless heroes that stepped up in the face of tragedy,” Trumbull said. “Their courage, their sacrifice, and their legacy will never be forgotten.”
The evening’s guest speaker was retired Command Sergeant Major Ed Boring, who served 39 years in the military; four years as an F4 aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Marine Corps, and 35 years in the Kansas National Guard. Boring currently serves as vice commander of the east area of the Kansas American Legion.
“We honor the courage and the selflessness of all who responded. We reflect on the strength and grace that lift us up from the depths of despair,” Boring said. “Above all, we reaffirm the true spirit of 9/11: love, compassion, sacrifice, and we enshrine it forever in the hearts of our nation.”
Boring said that while 9/11 wounded the United States of America, it seems like many individuals have forgotten the impact of those attacks.
“But I fear September 11th is fading in our memories. Now it’s only mentioned in a single paragraph in the newspaper stories and occasional references on television,” Boring said. “Hundreds of lives, though, still suffer gapping holes — a mother, a father, a brother, a child— is no longer among them. Along with these loved ones, more than 300 emergency service workers perished in the attacks. The survivors live with the pain of September 11th daily.”
Boring said that most individuals are removed from seeing ground zero and the Pentagon, and thus are not regularly reminded of the event.
“The anger we felt that day is perhaps starting to fade,” Boring said.
He said that while Bin Laden is history, the work to eradicate terrorists is still ongoing in today’s military operations.
“On this solemn anniversary, let us reaffirm the fundamental American values of freedom and tolerance. Values that stand in stark contrast to the religious beliefs of those who attacked us,” Boring said. “Thanks for all the men and women in uniform who defend those values from new threats and let us remember who laid down their lives for our country.”
Boring said that the spirit of unity and a determination to build a safe, peaceful world are some of the lessons that the 9/11 attacks impart.
The Chanute Fire Department participated in a 5-5-5 bell ringing ceremony to honor those firefighters lost in the line of duty. A bell was rung five times, thrice over.
“We thank the American Legion for continuing the tradition of the bell ceremony and allowing us to be a part of the ceremony in remembrance of the firefighters that died,” Fire Captain Chad Small said.
After the bell ceremony, “Taps” was played by a member of the Post 170 Color Guard.
“I am thankful they are able to to put this on, and continue the remembrance and honor,” Mayor Jacob LaRue said of the event.
Melvin Eubanks, another member of Post 170 leadership, said he agreed that people were beginning to forget about the 9/11 attacks, seeing it in the dwindling attendance at their annual memorial.
“I think people need to be reminded of the events and what it did mean, and what it does still mean — especially to us here as veterans in the American Legion, it does mean a lot — we don’t forget,” Eubanks said. “But, I can see how every year attendance has declined, and people are — he said it just right — people are forgetting or it’s not as important to them right now, and it should be. It should be, because it’s not over.”
George Culbertson said the memorial has been at least a 20-year tradition.
“The speech really made me stop and think. It’s been 24 years, and you look at the generation today; many of them were not alive when this took place. I don’t think they understand the gravity of what happened.”
Culbertson said he has taken it on himself to educate his grandchildren about how the 9/11 attacks impacted the country.
“That’s our responsibility as adults and grandparents to make sure they understand that,” Culbertson said.
