Lions Club Holds 9/11 Memorial Ceremony
By Alisha Yocum
For many Americans, September 11, 2001, is a day they will never forget. They remember where they were when they first heard the news, watched the images on the television screen, and realized that the country had experienced an attack unlike anything most had ever witnessed.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, making the importance of remembering those who lost their lives, those who responded, and the many whose lives were forever changed even more significant.
The Thurmont Lions Club held a memorial ceremony to honor and remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day and to ensure their voices are not forgotten.
As I stood at the event, I found myself thinking about the current generation that is growing up with no personal memory of September 11. For them, the event is simply something that happened in history, which is why ceremonies like this provide an opportunity to share stories, honor those who were lost, and remind us of the courage and compassion that followed one of the darkest days in our nation’s history.
The crowd was silent as Lions read the final conversations or voicemails left by victims that day. Voicemails like the one left by Linda Gronlund, a passenger on Flight 93, on her sister’s home answering machine. On the message, she briefly describes that they have been hijacked and proceeds to say, “Mostly, I just wanted to say I love you and I’m going to miss you, and please give my love to Mom and Dad…I don’t know if I’m going to get the chance to tell you that again or not.”
Other recordings came from people inside the World Trade Center.
Melissa Doi was working on the 83rd floor of the South Tower when she called 911. Her call captured the terrifying reality inside the building as she told the dispatcher, “It’s very hot, I see…I don’t see any air anymore. All I see is smoke. She would later ask the dispatcher if she was going to die and then prayed, “Oh, God, it’s so hot. I’m burning up.” The line would soon go silent.
The ceremony continued with guest speaker Retired Fire Captain Daryl Byrne from Norfolk, Connecticut. In addition to the various roles he served in the U.S. Navy, Byrne served in his career as a tactical paramedic, hazardous materials technician, and a neonatal newborn critical care provider.
He was requested to assist at ground zero with an elite group of tactical paramedics trained to work in austere environments, but nothing could prepare him for what he experienced that day. Bryne took those in attendance through what he experienced that day. Bryce talked about how he witnessed people jumping into action that day with no hesitation.
The ceremony concluded with a cannon salute, the 21-gun salute, and the playing of Taps.
We must continue to remember the voices of those who were lost and share their stories with the generations who did not live through September 11, so they can understand the impact that day had on our country and why we will never forget.
Multiple organizations were represented during the flag raising.
Retired Fire Captain Daryl Byrne was the Guest Speaker.
Lions read messages and phone calls from September 11, 2001, in rememberance of those who lost their lives.
