“Where were you?”/9-11 Remembrance

‘Never forget…’

By VIRGINIA GIORGIS Pioneer Editor vgiorgis@bridgervalleypioneer.com
Posted 9/18/20

BV ceremony remembers tragedy of 9-11 when America was attacked

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“Where were you?”/9-11 Remembrance

‘Never forget…’

Posted

LYMAN — The 9-11 Remembrance event last Friday night at the LHS football stadium paid tribute to the events of that fateful day 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 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.

The event last Friday night, hosted by the Bridger Valley Coalition of Churches, was started a few years ago when Wendy Mayhem suggested and then “insisted we do it that day, ” 9/11, to commemorate the day kicking off the first event in Bridger Valley.

Last Friday’s event held at the LHS football stadium allowed people to social distance and were encouraged to wear masks if they sat in the areas marked off with caution tape on the bleachers.

Tony Gillies, District 6 business manager, emceed the ceremony, bringing in the first responders for recognition for their on-going service to the area, introducing the members of the American Legion who presented the colors and then laid out the general events of the ceremony.

Mayhem was again on hand and gave the history of that fateful day in which planes were flown into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a downed plane passengers took control of to keep the plane from hitting the White House.

The strains of Alan Jackson’s song “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning” filled the air. He asks. “Where were you when the world stopped turnin'

That September day?...Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke

Risin' against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry?”

Jon Conrad said 9-11 shattered America’s sense of peacefulness it had established over decades. Conrad also noted the deaths from 9-11 continue to be added to the totals as the first responders and others who were in Ground-Zero at the Twin Towers continue to rise. He said, “…nearly 10,000 have been diagnosed with cancer. Remember Freedom isn’t free.”

The Bridger Valley Pioneer, according to Conrad, is an excellent source of patriotism with the Veterans’ insert printed each year. He told everyone they needed to get the publication and look at the pictures of the men and women in this area who have served to keep America free. He also placed his military cap on his head as he continued speaking.

In addition a quote from Admiral George Washington was quoted in which Washington said, “An American would rather die on his feet than live on his knees.”

This was followed with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” as the sun disappeared and the night started to descend. Following the closing prayer, the crowd dispersed into the cool night air.