It’s been nearly a quarter of a century since the events of 9/11 where thousands lost their lives to an act of terrorism previously unseen on American soil.
Since that time, each year a contingent of local patriots has gathered on the anniversary of this attack to commemorate the lives lost and the sense of patriotism, honor and duty that filled the hearts of seemingly all Americans in the aftermath of the attack. Thursday, on the 24th anniversary of this tragic event, community members continued this better-than-two-decades-old tradition gathering on the Interstate 35 Melvern overpass for the 23rd annual Random Acts of Patriotism.
Speaking with KVOE News on Thursday, organizer Debi Fuller says she is always proud to take part in the patriotic display, which sees individuals and families gather to hang flags and acknowledge passersby on the interstate from sunup to sundown. Fuller adds she is often in awe of the dedication of those who show up year after year to keep this local tradition going.
In addition to the familiar faces, Fuller says each year they meet new people who are touched by the display and want to be involved. She says this includes area and state residents as well as travelers from across the country.
While the mission of keeping the memory of those who lost their lives in 2001 alive remains at the core of the event, organizers have stated in recent years that the event is also meant to help educate the youth who were not alive during the tragedy or were too young to remember it. Organizers have emphasized the importance of passing this knowledge on to the next generation, as they will one day be responsible for doing the same.
Fuller believes they are accomplishing that mission, noting they have seen a strong sense of duty and patriotism displayed by younger community members both with this event and others such as the Wall That Heals.
On Sept. 11, 2001 nearly 3,000 people lost their lives after hijacked planes crashed into both World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
