9/11 First Responders Never Forgotten

Four-hundred and three brave men and women died. 343 firefighters. 60 policemen. 9/11 will truly never be forgotten. On Friday, September 10, 2010, nearly nine years from that horrific disaster impacted the heart of our nation, a small group of men, women, and children gathered at Foundation Meadows Park to remember what had happened and the lives of first responders that were willingly given to save as many people as possible.

"They could tell in their faces that they weren't coming back," explained Valpo Fire Chief, David Nondorf, as he was telling a story of standbyers witnessing firefighters and policemen running towards the collapsing World Trade Towers.

The Police and Fire Departments from the City of Valparaiso hosted the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony which was open to the public, and third graders from Cooks Corner Elementary strolled over to the park holding their handheld red, white, and blue emblems following the Fire Dept. Honor Guard. It was a sobering feeling watching the huge American flag waving at the top of the fire truck ladder as "Amazing Grace" was being played by bagpipes during a moment of silence. "Let us not wait until next September 11 to remember our fallen heroes," urged Valpo's Assistant Police Chief, Rich Spicer. Nondorf recounted how after September 11, Republicans and Democrats alike stood together on the Congress steps.

"We're all members of a larger family and society, and we need to take care of each other," said Nondorf.

Most likely ironic on purpose, the majority of third graders present were either born around or several months after 9/11 occurred. There's always a sense of hope within our youth and the future of our nation no matter what our past is. Mayor Jon Costas commented that we "have not held on to hatred", but we have "held on to that which is good". But no matter what the future has in its hand, we don't forget the past, not for past's sake, but to remember so we can live with honor and nobility in our own lives. For future's sake.