Twelve years ago on September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C.
On the 12th Anniversary of the 911 attacks, the Valparaiso Police Department, Fire Department, EMT's and all first responders paid tribute to those Americans that lost their lives during a Memorial celebration held at Foundation Meadows First Responders Tribute Garden.
In the early morning hours of September 11, 2013, firefighters came to Foundation Meadows to raise a flag at half-staff from their fire engine. As the sun rose, so did the flag, so that guests arriving at the park were instantly reminded of the somber occasion that they were in attendance for: a memorial tribute to those who lost their lives on 911.
The crowd of spectators included many first responders on the Valparaiso Police Department and the Valparaiso Fire Department, wearing a black ribbon over their badges as a sign of respect and mourning for those who fell in the line of duty on 911.
Valparaiso Police Lieutenant Tom Horn painted a picture of the day that changed America forever summarizing the events that took place on September 11.
Lt. Horn said, “On a clear sunny day late in summer on September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked 3 passenger planes with a suicide mission that included targeting the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing all on board and almost 3,000 people. 2,997 people were killed that day. That was a day that changed America forever.”
Guest Speaker Chaplain Bill Wrede was the honored guest. Rev. Wrede stood four blocks from the site of the World Trade Center, offering pastoral care to first responders after the collapse of the towers. He stood near Ground Zero, blessing first responders as they entered the area shortly after the collapse of the towers. He was introduced by Reverend John Albers.
Albers stated, “Every generation has a ‘Where were you then?’ moment and for this generation it was 911.”
Wrede began by saying, “911 seemed so normal. The weather was no different than today but how quickly things changed.”
Wrede lived in downtown Manhattan. On September 11, he was picked up by an F.B.I. Agent to head down to the World Trade Center when he saw the first building fall.
He said, “It’s down, it’s down!”
The agent said, “What is?”
Wrede said, “The South Tower!”
He was taken just 4 blocks away from the World Trade Center to console the men and women there. He stood with a handkerchief covering his face. He said he could feel the towers rumbling and the debris from the towers felt like rain. Then the North Tower fell. He looked up and the sky turned gray. But out of that smoke and ash a figure arose. It was a fire fighter, a hero Wrede said, who looked like a ghost emerging from all the smoke and ash.
Wrede said the fire fighter fell into his arms and said, “I see no one alive, only bodies, and my partner is gone.”
That was the start to “The Beginning of the Greater Good” of Reverend Wrede’s mission to console those affected by 911. He worked tirelessly with first responders and the medical examiner until June of 2002.
During that time, the many thousands lost were being identified and of those, Wrede said, was the fragile bones of a woman’s finger, identified by the wedding ring still on her hand, and the hat of a fireman, identifying him by the family photos still tucked inside his hat.
Wrede said that he did what he did for the “greater good.” He said we can make a difference everyday by what we do as individuals and collectively and work towards the greater good.
Several keynote speakers, including Police Chief Michael Brickner, Lieutenant Tom Horn, Director of Parks and Recreation John Siebert, Mayor Jon Costas, Rev. John Albers, and Rev. Bill Wrede captivated the audience during this brief, yet timely tribute to those who fell on September 11, 2001 and to those who continue to serve today.
Click here to see more photos from the ceremony.
