The City of Lincoln held multiple Patriots Day ceremonies on the 21st anniversary of 9/11. Two ceremonies were dedicated to the brave Men and Women who gave their lives for their country.
The first took place at the State capitol. A large group gathered outside the capitol at 8:30 in the morning to honor the fallen first responders of 9/11. Those in attendance included Lincoln Fire and Rescue members, the Lincoln Police department, and Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird.
The remembrance ceremony began with the LFR Pipe and Drums Corp and was followed by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Honor Guard and the singing of the National Anthem. The placing of the 9/11 memorial reef in front of the capitol building followed
Sheriff Terry Wagner took the podium and spoke about 9/11 statistics that stood out to him and what 9/11 meant to him
“9/11 is right up there, for me, with the assassination of John F Kennedy and the birth of my children as those days in history that I’ll never forget”
After Wagner’s speech played powerful audio taken from the emergency dispatch during 9/11.. All attendees stood in silence and listened to the dispatch filled with shock, fear, leadership, and, above all, bravery.
A moment of silence took place for the fallen
The event ended with the raising of the American flag and ended with a 21-gun salute.
Wagner said after the event.
“It’s really important that we continue these events, so people don’t forget,” Wagner said “its been 21 years, and a lot of young folks weren’t alive when the attacks on the world trade center occurred.”
The second ceremony took place at the Veterans Memorial Garden in Antelope Park. Members of the Veterans Memorial and the Mayor were the distinguished guest.
Craig Anderson, Vice Chairmen of the Veterans Memorial, led the event.
Anderson said, “We gather to recognize the first responders who rushed to the scene, including those who lost their lives saving others,” Anderson said, “This morning, we also gather to recognize the risk our local first responders take on a daily basis to keep us safe.”
The memorial reef made its way from the capitol and to the Garden and placed in front of the 9/11 memorial. The event ended with members of the Memorial Garden reading the names of fallen Nebraskans who gave their lives for our country after joining the armed forces after 9/11.
Today on patriots day, a national day of mourning, the capital city stepped up to ensure that we never forget.