At 8:46 a.m. on September 11 a small crowd gathered at Bear Tree Park to pay homage to the police, firefighters, medical support and victims who perished in the 9-11 terrorist attacks. The Grand Marais Fire Department brought the fire truck to Harbor Park and parked it, flying the American flag at halfmast from sun-up to sun down on September 11. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
A moment of silence was held at 8:46 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11 at Bear Tree Park as members of the community and rescue/law enforcement gathered to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to honor those firefighters and police officers who came to help throughout the assault and the aftermath.
During the 9-11 terrorist attacks there were 2,996 people killed and more than 6,000 injured. Deaths included 265 on the four planes (including the 19 terrorists), 2,006 in the World Trade Center and 125 at the Pentagon.
The first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, a domestic passenger flight that was hijacked by five al-Qaeda members, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m.
United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower a short time later. Next, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon. Passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 overwhelmed their captors and crashed it into a Pennsylvania field. Flight 93 was headed for the White House when it went down.
More than $10 billion in infrastructure and property was destroyed in the carnage.
And for the many thousands of rescue workers and people sent to clean up and rebuild the World Trade Center site, thousands more have been lost to cancer and lung disease associated with the dust and particulate spread airborne from the wreckage.
Valerie Marasco, director – Office of Emergency Management & Public Information, addressed the two dozen or so people who gathered near the Grand Marais fire truck which was flying the flag at half mast. Marasco acknowledged the victims and the fire fighters and police officers who went “above and beyond” their call of duty during the attack. She also thanked the many local police officers and rescue squad volunteers and firefighters who make sacrifices to help others who are in need of aid.
Last, Marasco read a prayer from her heart for those who risk their health and well being to serve others. Before she read it she told the people gathered that her father was a firefighter who didn’t make it home after responding to a call. It was a fitting way to end one of the thousands of commemorations to honor the heroes and victims of a day that will be remembered forever.
Leave a Reply