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 Like so many other Americans in so many other
towns and cities, those who took part in the ceremony in Lincoln
were a living proof that enemies who think acts of terrorism, no
matter how heinous, can divide and conquer America have made a
tremendous mistake.
As Illinois Representative Jonathan Wright put it, “They have
underestimated the greatness of our country and our people.
“The enemy,” he said, “expected us to respond selfishly. Instead,
Americans are giving their lives to try to save others.
“They expected us to respond with fear, but we responded with
courage.
“They expected us to respond with regionalism, saying, ‘That’s New
York City’s problem.’ Instead, citizens have stepped forward,
saying, ‘How can I help?’
“They expected us to respond with apathy because ‘This doesn’t
affect me personally,’ but instead we have come together for prayer
vigils and patriotic meetings,” Wright said.
Selfishness, fear, regionalism and apathy were simply not in the
picture on Friday. Instead, in a show of support for their fellow
firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police and other rescue
workers in New York City, firefighters from all over Logan County,
and a few from beyond the county’s borders, lined the walkway on the
Broadway side of the courthouse during the ceremony. A few had tears
running down their cheeks, as did many in the audience.
A further show of respect and brotherhood was “the
last alarm,” the ringing of the bell three times in honor of the
fallen firefighters on the East Coast.
The question “How can I help?” is being answered with a fund drive
for the families of the firefighters and rescue workers who died
trying to save the lives of others in the collapse of the World
Trade Center buildings on Tuesday.
Those who want to help may drop off donations at the Lincoln Safety
Complex and WalMart from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, and at the
same two locations on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or
they may call the Emergency Service and Disaster Agency (ESDA) at
732-3911. Hours for donation drop-offs in other Logan County fire
districts will be announced later.
Dan Fulscher, ESDA director, can attest that Lincoln residents are
not responding with selfishness. He has already had donations of
$62, just from the few people who heard the planning committee
discussing the fund drive. When the drive ends Sept. 30, Logan
County Board Chairman Dick Logan will mail the contributions to New
York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to give the New York City Fire and
Police Fund.
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Logan, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the occasion, said,
“Our hearts are heavy, but our spirits are high.”
The Lincoln Interveterans Council carried the colors,
and World War II Veteran Arnold Haak asked that American veterans be
remembered along with others who had made sacrifices for their
country.
County Clerk Sally Litterly read a resolution by the County Board,
presented by historian Paul Gleason. These “overt acts of terrorism”
which were unprovoked, are “a threat to the civility of the American
way of life and a violation of the safety and security of our
citizens,” the resolution said.
It expressed the board’s “condemnation of the attacks, our support
of the President and Congress, and our concern for the injured and
the families of those lost.” A copy of the resolution will be sent
to the President of the United States and to represenatives in
Washington.
Carla Bender, Clerk of the Circuit Court and 18th District
Congressman Ray LaHood’s Logan County Coordinator, read a letter
from LaHood to Logan County residents. That letter will be reprinted
in its entirety in Monday’s issue of the Lincoln Daily News, as will
the speech given by Wright.
Wright thanked the assembled firefighters, police and rescue workers
for being “ready to pay the price” and expressed his condolences for
the lost and their families and friends.
“In the face of tragedy, I have seen the brilliance of our country
shine,” he said. “Freedom never shines so brightly as in the darkest
hour. . . . I have always been proud to be an American citizen, but
I have never been so proud as I am today.”
The Rev. Larry Maffett of the First United Methodist Church gave the
opening and closing prayers, and the Lincoln Community High School
choir sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” At the
close of the ceremony, the community of those who cared joined hands
and sang “God Bless America.”
[Joan Crabb]
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