The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
9/11: A day to remember
Solemn Commemoration Ceremony offers reflections and hope
The mood was solemn as Eastlake residents and administration along with Willowick’s Mayor Rich Regovich, members of The Willowick American Legion Post 678 and the Eastlake Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3863 gathered to remember the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and those who lost their lives and pay tribute to first responders.
The ceremony took place Sept. 10 at the Boulevard of 500 Flags and The America Remembers Memorial behind Eastlake City Hall.
After the singing of the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Dennis Morley addressed those in attendance by giving a brief history on how The America Remembers Memorial came to be.
He explained how in 2001 shortly after the attacks, Eastlake began making plans to create the memorial to honor those who died there. Morley also noted that this particular memorial is one of the few that include artifacts from The World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA.
Police Chief Larry Reik and Fire Chief Ted Whittington reflected back on the events happening that day, the lives lost, sacrifices made and how sixteen years later many struggle to come to terms with what happened. Both chiefs also spoke of hope, gratitude, and encouraged everyone to appreciate friends and neighbors who honor first responders and the military and to always remember those
who sacrificed and those who died to preserve freedom.
Whittington spoke on how much has changed in the years since. He spoke about how orphans of the fallen New York City firefighters have now grown to have families of their own and the two youngest members of his department were only seven and eight years old on Sept. 11. He also mentions positive things he has seen.
“I have also reflected on some very valuable things,” he said. “The sun has risen a total of 5,840 times since Sept. 11, 2001. In New York City, where there were two large voids in the ground have been replaced with two beautiful memorial fountains ... I see growth in this community, with the building of homes, schools and businesses.”
Reik spoke on the many emotions of hate, retribution and sorrow experienced across the country and how as a nation we came together.
“We then regrouped, like Americans do, and traveled to help the wounded, to bury the dead and rebuild communities,” he said
He also explained the brother/sisterhood among first responders and the bond that is shared among them.
He expressed an amazement that his fellows officers and firefighters still maintained and carried out daily functions and calls for months afterwards while they rebuilt and worked on mourning their losses.
Reik also spoke on the military and safety forces gaining respect.
“The safety forces and military in this country were well respected, appreciated and renowned after these attacks more than any time since WWII,” he said.
Reik also suggested that people could learn to honor those who serve by learning the stories of these heroes.
Joseph Fischlin, past commander of the American Legion Post 678 in Willowick/Eastlake, spoke about how it wasn’t just first responders who were patriots but also those who came out for the ceremony to honor or pay tribute and support the police and fire.
“You are also true patriots. You believe that our flag stand for liberty and justice for all,” he said. “You believe that the police are the good guys, not the bad guys ... You thank God that you live in the USA.”
Fischlin also noted it wasn’t just after 9/11 that the country united, but also after hurricanes Katrina, Sandy and Harvey.
“Being united should not take a disaster,” he said.
Morley, Reik, Whittington and Fischlin all stated the importance of being united and never forgetting the events of that day.
Today’s ceremony was to remember all those that lost their lives in 9/11. Our city remembers everyday when we pull into city hall where our memorial is located at the Blvd. of 500 Flags,” Morley said. “We had a great turn out and had many compliments about all of our speeches.”
After speeches were done a wreath was placed at the memorial, a gun salute was given, Taps and Amazing Grace was played and the bell rang a signal 5-55-5, which Whittington explained is the bell being struck five times in a series of four as a way of rendering final honors to those who died in service. A Benediction was offered and the audience joined in the singing of God Bless America.
Whittington made a request of those in attendance:
“I hope that each of you spends some time personal reflection about where we have come as a nation and community since 9/11,” he said. “I do hope that it does not make you feel old like it did me.”
Morley reminded everyone to never forget.
“We must never forget and thank our armed forces, police and fire everyday because they are the reason we are safe and have the rights we do.”
Reik is confidant that good will triumph over evil,
It is said that whoever is not forgotten lives on forever, if we do these things then we can ensure that the victims of the attacks and our fallen military members become immortal,” Reik said. “God bless all of you, God bless the safety forces and military, and God bless America.”