Twenty-five years after terror attacks changed our country and our world, a number of remembrance activities have been taking place across the KVOE listening area.
Emporia Fire had a short ceremony at its headquarters. Fire Chief Brandon Beck says the day stlll touches a nerve even 25 years later.
Beck says the willingness of firefighters to run towards danger, instead of away from it, is an example his department uses today.
Police Sgt Dominick Vortherms is still impressed by the sacrifice of law enforcement, firefighters and first responders 25 years ago.
Vortherms says 9/11 was — and still is — a life-changing day .
Overlapping that activity is the annual Random Acts of Patriotism, which goes until sunset at the Exit 160 bridge over Interstate 35 near Melvern.
Friday evening had the American Legion Post 5 host connected activities, with a “Where Were You” activity letting residents tell their 9/11 stories. Organizer Clay Childs remembers an empty feeling as he watched the attack unfold.
Dr Wes Jones went to the Pentagon to help with mental health recovery. One conversation is burned into his memory.
Ashley Mitchell was serving overseas.
Kansas House Speaker and Emporia State graduate Dan Hawkins and Kansas Second District Congressman Derek Schmidt say it is important to never forget the attacks and their impact on American life then and now.
Following that was a special flag activity featuring 2 illuminated flags, one red to honor firefighters lost during 9/11 and the other blue to honor law enforcement — and both honoring the victims of the World Trade Center. There was also a special flag unfurled to mark the attack on the Pentagon and a field of small flags to represent the victims of the plane crash near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
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Photos by KVOE staff
