Citizens, veterans, government officials and local first responders all gathered Friday morning to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks.
Activities began with opening remarks and comments from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt at the Lyon County Law Enforcement Center at 425 Mechanic Street. During his comments, Schmidt encouraged all in attendance to “tell the story” of 9-11 as there are now children and young residents who have no memory of one of the darkest days in American history. Schmidt stated it is important that we as Americans never forget our history, but we must also remember not to be bound by it.
Friday’s festivities also included several moments of remembrance for each of the attacks that occurred on 9-11. The moments began with the sounding of a siren from the Emporia Fire Department followed by a moment of silence and a look back at each of the moments that changed the course of American history forever.
Sirens were sounded at 7:46 am in memory of the north World Trade Center attack, 8:03 am in memory of the south tower attack and at 8:45 am for the attack on the Pentagon. Following the 8:03 am siren Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope spoke to those in attendance and stated that the patriotism shown on 9-11 is something we must continue to embrace today, nearly two decades later.
Following the activities at the Law Enforcement Center, a flagged motorcycle escort consisting of local first responders and the American Legion Post 5 Riders proceeded to Fire Station 2 at 1415 Industrial to conclude the day’s ceremonies. Activities at Station 2 included the sounding of a fourth siren in memory of the Flight 93 crash and closing remarks from Emporia Fire Batallion Chief Tony Fuller and Legion Riders Director Clay Childs.
Photos by Tagan Trahoonand Chuck Samples/KVOE News
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