LYMAN — The 9-11 Remembrance event Saturday evening, Sept. 11, at the LHS football stadium paid tribute to the events of that fateful day 20 years ago in which America was attacked and multitudes of people died.

America, seen as the land of opportunity and common good (albeit now tarnished by the on-going riots and looting – peaceful demonstrations, no) will forever remember that fateful day in 2001 when America was attacked by terrorists. Those who saw it on the news called others and told them to turn on their TVs to see the diabolical turned reality on America’s soils.

The 9-11 attack pulled the country together and remembrance celebrations across the nation decried the lack of cohesiveness in the United States.

The memory, shock and disbelief still linger following the traumatic attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the downed plane passengers took control of to keep the plane from hitting the White House. First responders and passer-bys rushed to the scenes to help, do anything to help someone who needed the help.

The event last Saturday night, hosted by the Bridger Valley Coalition of Churches, was started a few years ago. The theme running through the night was, “Never forget” as the events unfolded during the evening.

Bob Casper, a volunteer of the Uinta County Ambulance Crew and Fire Fighter, gave the keynote speech last Saturday and reiterated, “For God and Country” many times. Casper said he had served in the Vietnam War as a helicopter pilot and noted the high price military personnel sometimes pays for their service and said, “Freedom isn’t free.”

He spoke of the value of first responders, law enforcement and military and the value they give to the country. As for himself, he named several whom he served with during his time in the military, “KIA…for God and Country,” repeating after each name, “ KIA…for God and Country.” Casper said Vietnam and 9-11 were things the younger people don’t know, but the learning is necessary so history doesn’t repeat itself.

Casper said now people think the country owes them something and referenced JFK, and said Kennedy had said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Casper equated Kennedy’s comments to the local level and added people now need to “Ask what you can do for you community.”

Casper said he had been blessed to serve as a first responder, but his greatest blessing was serving in the military, “Serving God and Country.”