Columbus residents gathered at Columbus City Hall to remember the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks 18 years after the tragedy unfolded in New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
“While it’s been 18 years, it’s still ongoing,” Columbus Fire Dept. Capt. Mike Wilson said. “We’re still experiencing the effects of that day.”
More than 2,000 first responders have died due to 9/11-related illnesses, according to the medical director of the World Trade Center Health Program. Roughly one in eight firefighters at Ground Zero have developed cancer, a New York firefighters association reports. And the Officers Down Memorial Page states that at least 221 police officers have died from illnesses related to the terrorist attacks and their aftermath.
About 65 local residents, as well as dozens of local police officers, deputies and firefighters, attended the event Wednesday to remember the nearly 3,000 victims who died at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after passengers fought back against the terrorists.
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Columbus Fire Chief Andy Lay quoted former U.S. Senator Bill Frist when he said remembrances of the 2001 attacks “impress upon us that life is a precious gift, and that every life has a purpose.”
Columbus Police Chaplain Nita Evans told the crowd that the day “carries a heavy burden of memory” that includes images of death and destruction, the loss of loved ones, and the heroism of the first responders.
“We also remember our own feelings of emptiness as our sense of security, as a predictable order of life and work, was radically shaken,” Evans said.
While delivering a prayer, Pastor John Bundick of the Community Church of Columbus spoke about forgiveness.
“Forgive us for the arrogance that leads us to moral blightness, for our desires for vengeance and retaliation, and for the willingness to sacrifice others for our own security,” Bundick asked in prayer. “Fashion us into a people who are more ready to grow in understanding than eager to judge those who are different from us. Form us into a people who are determined to heal wounds, rather than inflict them.”
The remembrance began with a single toll of a bell to represent the first plane striking the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Moments later, a transmitted emergency channel message was dispatched over a public address system.
On that channel, the voice of an dispatcher is heard asking for all first responders to be honored for their unselfish sacrifices. After several seconds of silence, the bell is tolled multiple times to honor everyone who gave their lives in the service of others.
One milestone that has been reached in 2019 is that children born in 2001 are now eligible to join the military.
“Nobody wants to be at war, and I don’t think the U.S. wants to be the policemen of the world,” said Ed Reuter, executive director of the Indiana Statewide 911 Board, speaking after Wednesday’s remembrance. “But it is necessary for the United States to help those countries that can’t help themselves, and keep the terrorists from taking over.”
Former state representative Milo Smith, a Republican, said he believes President Donald Trump is sincere about wanting to bring home most or all of the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
“But when we withdraw troops, the terrorists get stronger,” Smith said after the ceremony. “I’d rather fight them on another soil where they live than fight them on our soil when we live.”
Also attending Wednesday’s memorial were several fifth and sixth graders from CSA Lincoln.
“We are here to celebrate the lives of those we lost,” said sixth grader Zayda Shelton. “Even though we may have not lost a family member, we are here to respect others who have.”
Zayda’s classmate, Lathan Walker, said he was taught that while thousands died on Sept. 11, 2001, many others were saved — and that’s why emergency personnel are honored on Sept. 11.
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”Attention all units and stations. On Sept. 11, 2001, at 08:46 hours, the events on this day changed our lives forever. In honor of the memory of the courageous police officers, firefighters, paramedics and citizens, we thank them for their unselfish sacrifices they gave for this country. We continue to honor the heroes of 9/11, and shall be forever grateful for the men and women who serve as public safety officials and military throughout this country who guard our freedom each and every day.”
– Annual Sept. 11 tribute delivered on an emergency dispatch channel, as well as over a public address system at Columbus City Hall
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