|
 Families were devastated by the loss of loved
ones, children found themselves without a parent because of hate
against our country. As a people, many of us stood spellbound in
front of televisions watching over and over that unforgettable scene
of a large jet flying into the side of the first tower of the trade
center. We were horrified when the second jet repeated the action on
the second tower. We reeled when we heard that a similar attack had
occurred in Washington.
In the Midwest, we wondered, what would happen next. We noticed the
eerie quiet in the sky as all planes were grounded across the
country. We wondered, was this just the beginning and would this
beginning lead to the end of our country and our freedom that we
enjoy so much.
In our nation’s history this may have been one of the only days
where that politics didn’t matter, race didn’t matter, and economic
and social standing didn’t matter. We were all one people and we
were hurt, devastatingly hurt.
Many will say that it is good to remember what we have gone through
so that we can hopefully not go through it again. It is also good to
remember what we have gone through so we will not forget the
sacrifices that were made to keep this from happening again. Many
men and women died on September 11th, but because of them many men
and women did not die. In the moments and days that followed those
events, those who gave their all in rescue efforts did so willingly,
knowing what they were going into and knowing that their calling in
life was to help their fellowman and to put themselves in harm’s way
in order to do so.
As we approach this 20th anniversary there is reason to celebrate,
but we should do so reverently and with much respect to those lives
lost. We celebrate because we do still have our freedom; we pause,
we pray and yes we shed a few tears for the cost of that freedom.
In Lincoln, on September 11th, there will be a morning of activities
aimed at remembering and celebrating with reverence.
The Central Illinois Veterans Commission and the Lincoln Park
District have partnered to plan an event that will begin at around
8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning on Broadway Street in front of the
Logan County Courthouse and end in the same location at around 10:45
a.m.
The day will begin with a 9.11K race starting at the courthouse. The
race route will include Kickapoo Street to Wyatt Avenue to the
Lincoln Park District, backtrack on Wyatt Avenue to Home Avenue down
Home for a turn around and backtrack back to the LPD, then back on
Wyatt to Kickapoo back to Broadway Street on the courthouse side
where a special ceremony will be held.
Marsha Fernandes spoke about the run with Lincoln Daily News and
said that this run was going to be a lot different from any other
run held in the community because it was going to be about drawing
attention to, and showing respect for local first responders, while
remembering those lives lost in 2001.
The race will not be timed, and participants don’t have to run the
entire course if they aren’t up for it. Fernandes said that the race
is longer than most, but that the organizers chose the 9.11K as the
first remembrance of the day, with 9.11 signifying September 11th.
But, there will be a great deal more. Fernandes said that the
Lincoln Police and Logan County Sheriff’s Office will have squads on
the route, along with fire department units from the city of Lincoln
and Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District. Atlanta, Beason,
Chestnut, Emden, Hartsburg, and Middletown are also sending fire
units to Lincoln. The units will also be parked along the route.
Fernandes said that all these vehicles have public announcement
systems and it is the intent that throughout the morning the
timeline of events will be broadcast from these units, with the end
of watch announced for the lives lost in New York.
Fernandes said it is going to be moving and respectful and will draw
attention to those we lost on that day. She said that in addition to
fire and police, the Logan County Paramedics will be participating,
and the Lincoln Community High School National Honor Society, LCHS
Cheerleaders, Lincoln Junior High Cheerleaders and groups from
Lincoln College including the Kings, will be there as well.
The Lincoln Rural and city of Lincoln Fire departments’ ladder
trucks are going to be parked at the intersection of Broadway and
Kickapoo, one on each side of the road. The Lincoln Rural
Department’s large American flag will be hanging between the two
trucks for runners to pass under at the beginning and end of the
race.
For those who do not want to run, but do want to be part of this
special day of remembrance, there will be a one mile walking
opportunity starting at 9 a.m. at the Lincoln Park District. Walkers
will make the trek from the park district to Wyatt Avenue to
Kickapoo Street and then on to Broadway.
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When runners return to Broadway Street at the end of the race,
there will be a special service conducted. Hosted by the CIVC, the ceremony will
include presentation of colors, the playing of bagpipes and a solo performance
by local songstress Lesleigh Bennett. There will be a special recognition of
local first responders and a time of prayer.
Speakers on the program include Illinois Senator Sally Turner, Illinois
Department of Veteran Affairs Director Terry Prince, Kate Wright with the Young
Conservatives, and keynote speaker Colonel James Allen.
The service will end with a wreath laying ceremony, the retirement of colors,
and benediction.
Fernandes said that the runners should be returning to the courthouse around
10:15 and the program is scheduled to start shortly thereafter and should last
about 30 minutes.
She also noted that there is still plenty of room for runners. Anyone who wishes
to come can sign up the day of the race, or if one wishes to sign up ahead of
time they can do so by going to runsignup.com
Runners registering the day of the race should be at the courthouse between 7
a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
Walkers can register the day of the walk at the Lincoln Park District and should
do so between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
The race is serving as a fundraiser for the CIVC and the Lincoln Park District.
The CIVC will receive 75 percent of the race proceeds, which will go into the
fund for the next Veteran Tiny Home project, which starts October 9th.
For spectators, while waiting for the race, or after the ceremony, all are
invited to view the 2,977 American flags placed on three corners of the
courthouse lawn. The flags are being placed this weekend on Sunday by the Young
Conservatives with one flag representing each life lost on 9/11.
Kate Wright of the Young Conservatives, this week said that the group had sought
sponsorships to cover the cost of the flags and the community had responded
well. The group was able to raise enough money to cover the cost of the flags
and then some.
Those flags will be placed on the courthouse lawn on Sunday, September 5th and
will remain there until after September 11th. The group is in need of volunteers
to help plant the flags on Sunday. Wright said that volunteers are asked to come
to the courthouse lawn at 3 p.m. The group will be there around 1 p.m. to create
the layout for the flags so that all 2,977 can fit into three corners of the
courthouse lawn.
So, as we look toward this 20th Anniversary of 9/11 why is it so important that
the community come out next Saturday for this remembrance? Fernandes said that
she is hopeful that families will come with children. She reminds us that this
happened 20 years ago and for a whole new generation the story of 9/11 is
something in the history books. These young people under the age of 20 don’t
have that personal experience with that day that many of us older folks have.
They don’t have an answer to “where were you when the world stood still?”
Joe Schaler was not available to comment this week, but earlier in the planning
process he put his own personal feelings into words. Why is it important for
Lincoln to remember 9/11? He reminds us that this is one of those times in
history when that our first responders were directly connected to the military.
What happened on American soil resulted in a battle and a man hunt to destroy
the person who was responsible for the lives lost. The military felt the pain of
the first responders and their families, they felt the pain of our nation and
they responded the way they are trained to, they defended their country and
fought valiantly to bring to justice those who hurt this country so badly that
day. He said that for the CIVC to honor our first responders and those lives
lost was fitting and appropriate. He said it is also important for us to honor
those first responders that we have among us. They serve and protect through law
enforcement, they save lives by risking their own in dangerous situations such
as fire and other tragedies. They run into the flames when the rest of us are
running away and they do it because it is their calling. They are called to
serve knowing the possible consequences and that is something that we need to
respect, appreciate, and teach our children to respect and appreciate.
Whether you wish to run or walk on September 11th does not matter. Raising money
for the next tiny home does matter to all of us, but it is not the crux of the
day. What really matters is that we come together as families, as community, and
support those who are here and remember those who are not.
We hope to see you all on the Logan County Courthouse Square on September 11th.
[Nila Smith] |
