Nationwide, members of the Legion Family led or took part in observances of the 2001 terrorist attacks to honor those lost during and after the day.
Last week marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, as well as the brave act of passengers of United Flight 93 who diverted a hijacked plane from hitting another target and bringing it down in a rural area of Pennsylvania.
And again, American Legion Family members were at the forefront of commemorating the day across the nation. They staged traditional ceremonies, outdoor activities and other events focused on honoring the victims of that day, the first responders who gave their lives attempting to save them and the U.S. servicemembers who died during the Global War on Terror in response to the attacks.
The following are just a few samples of how the Legion Family observed the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. American Legion Family members who hosted, organized or took part in 9/11 commemorations are encouraged to share their stories and photos at Legiontown.org.
Delaware
In Millsboro, Post 28’s American Legion Family held a candlelight remembrance ceremony in the post's pavilion.
"Our annual 9/11 ceremony serves to honor those who lost their lives, recognize the courage and sacrifice of first responders and others who served that day," American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 Vice President Beth McGinn said. "The ceremony preserves the memory of Sept. 11, 2001, for future generations. It is our solemn commitment to never forget."
Georgia
· In Macon, American Legion Post 3 hosted a Patriot Day ceremony that brought in area veterans and first responders, as well as members of the Patriot Guard Riders. And at the ceremony, Post 3 Commander Bill Haffner invited area residents to view the Georgia's Fallen Memorial, which displays photos of over 200 Georgian servicemembers lost in the wake of 9/11. The post hosted the display until Sept. 15. “Never forget. That's why we're here,” Haffner said. “We're always going to remember this day.”
· In Alpharetta, more than 160 people attended American Legion Post 201’s Sept. 11 ceremony, which included speeches and a dedication of a new part in the post’s Walk of Memories. The walk now has a brick that honors 16 people with Georgia connections who were killed at the Pentagon and World Trade Center. Bricks were also placed in memory of Sgt. Major George Wallace, who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon, Flight 93 co-pilot Leroy Holmes and Army Captain Tyler Feehan of Cobb County, who was killed in July in a missile attack on his military post in Jordan.
Idaho
In Emmett, members of American Legion Post 49 took part in the remembrance ceremony at the city’s veterans memorial. City officials, local first responders, veterans and community members attended the observance honoring those killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
The ceremony included the retirement of the memorial’s old American flag and the raising of a new one. Members of the Emmett Fire Department and Emmett Police Department lowered and removed the old flag before it was formally presented for inspection and retired through ceremonial burning.
Past Post 49 Commander and current Adjutant Tom Butler spoke during the ceremony. He had served in the U.S. Marine Corps and then returned to military service in the Army National Guard in 2002, deploying to Iraq.
During his remarks he shared how the attacks affected the entire nation, including those thousands of miles from the sites of the attacks. “What I remember most was the courage,” said Butler, an Emmett City Council member. “Firefighters, police officers, EMTs and ordinary people ran toward danger to help others. Many never made it home to their families. Let’s remember the people — the parents, children, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends and heroes whose lives were taken.”
Illinois
In Peoria, American Legion Post 2 held a ceremony that included a rifle volley to honor those lost in the attacks, as well as the planting of more than a dozen roses.
“It just shows there’s togetherness in the United States, and that’s the way you have to do it,” Post 2 Commander James Ulrich said. “Those that are in the military understand that your life can depend on the person right next to you. And if you can’t trust them, you’re in trouble.”
Indiana
In Syracuse, the Wawasee American Legion Post 223 honor guard conducted a ceremony that drew community members, veterans and emergency personnel at Veterans Park. In addition to honoring those lost on and after 9/11, the ceremony also played respect to American prisoners of war and those still missing in action.
The ceremony included the presentation of the colors, prayers, a bell-ringing remembrance, wreath placements, readings, and a 21-gun salute and taps.
“We remember the fallen, honor those who served, and stand with the families who carry their loved ones’ memories forward,” Post 223 Legionnaire Oscar Hernandez said. “We remember. We honor. We will never forget.”
The second portion of the program honored prisoners of war and those missing in action from conflicts throughout American history – including several local servicemembers identified as POWs or missing in action.
Iowa
In Onawa, members of American Legion Post 129 and local first responders joined with students at West Monona High School and community members gathered for a 9/11 Remembrance Program. The ceremony was organized to help students and other community members to remember and understand the events of Sept. 11, 2001, through firsthand accounts.
“Today was really hard for me, and it still is,” Post 129 Commander Grady Warner said. “We’ve done this for 25 years, and I was reflecting that we celebrate Pearl Harbor, and that day for me, I always stop and think about it, appreciate what happened those days, but it really doesn’t hit me. And so today I thought, boy, the people who lived through some of these other major events that I never had to live through, I still remember those days. They’re important days, but it’s different when you were there.”
Warner deployed to the Middle East three times after the attacks. “Made a lot of friends, got to see a lot of the world, got to see what war was really about,” he said. “And it humbles you, makes you proud of who we are as Americans.”
Also at the ceremony was leading candidate for 2027-2028 Sons of The American Legion National Commander Mike Monserud, who also is a member of American Legion Post 182 in Eldora. Monserud was on active duty in the U.S. Navy in Omaha, Neb., on Sept. 11, 2001.
He urged students to reflect on the unity that followed the attacks. “Be the Americans that we were on September 12,” Monserud said. “Accept that bad things can happen, but accept that you’re an American and someone is protecting you and someone is fighting for your freedom.”
Kansas
In Mulvane, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 136 made spaghetti dinners with garlic bread and delivered them to workers at Mulvane Emergency Services and the Mulvane Police Department. “Thank You for your Service" cards also were delivered with the meals.
Kentucky
In Mayfield, American Legion Post 26 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 106 hosted a 9/11 memorial luncheon for Mayfield and Graves County first responders on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It was the third such luncheon hosted by the post.
“Today is a day of remembrance of 9/11 and the tragedy that happened,” Post 26 Commander Joe Kimbel said. “We sponsored this lunch to show them our appreciation for what they do each and every day of their lives, which is protecting us.
“We’ve all served like these people are serving us now. We all raised our hand to swear an oath on the Constitution. We did this years ago when we served our country, but nowadays, these are the guys that are on the front line. We just want to tell them how grateful we are for what they do.”
Maine
In Camden, American Legion Post 30 hosted a 25th anniversary commemoration that brought together speakers representing the military and emergency responders. Stories were shared from those at or near Ground Zero and the Pentagon.
Post 30 Commander Brent Wucher, who served in the military before and after 9/11, spoke about his recruiter, who would die while piloting the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.
Mississippi
In New Albany, American Legion Post 72 hosted a Patriot Day National Day of Service and Remembrance at the Magnolia Civic Center that brought together community members, veterans, first responders and local officials.
In addition to remarks being given, the ceremony included a wreath-laying ceremony and the tolling of bells to honor the memory of Americans who served and sacrificed during the nation’s major wars, beginning with the Revolutionary War and continuing through the Global War on Terror.
Montana
· In Bozeman, Gov. Greg Gianforte was among those taking part in American Legion Post 14’s Patriots Day Remembrance at the Bozeman Safety Center. The remembrance also brought together first responders, veterans and the community. “For veterans, a day like today carries a special weight. We understand that service comes with sacrifice, and we know the importance of standing beside those who put on a uniform and answer the call,” Post 14 First Vice Commander Len Albright said. “As veterans, it is an honor to gather with our first responders and our community each year and pay tribute to all those whose lives and service were forever shaped by September 11.”
· In Laurel, Post 123’s Legion Family teamed with Laurel's Hometown Troops, the Park City Honor Society and the Laurel Honor Society to put up more than 1,000 American flags at Laurel High School to honor those lost on 9/11. Post 123 also conducted a ceremony to remember 9/11 at the Montana State Firefighter Memorial in Laurel.
New York
· In Amagansett at Post 419, Sons of The American Legion Squadron 419 and the East Hampton Fire Chiefs Association co-hosted a commemoration ceremony for 9/11’s 25th anniversary. East Hampton Town’s fire departments set up two ladder trucks with an American flag hoisted near the 9/11 memorial site.
· In Malone, American Legion Post 219 teamed with Malone AMVETS Post 8, Sons of the AMVETS Post 8 and Malone Elks Lodge 1303 for a tribute ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Volunteers at the St. André Bessette Parish gym read the names of those who lost their lives on 9/11. “Today we gather as a community to remember the lives that were lost, honor the first responders, service members and every day Americans who answered the call and recognize the sacrifices made on that day and the years that followed,” Post 219 Legionnaire Autumn Jenks said. “Today we gather not to simply remember how those lives were lost, but to remember how they were lived. We remember the husbands and wives, sons and daughters who began that morning believing it was just another ordinary day. We remember the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, first responders and ordinary citizens who ran towards danger when every instinct told them to run away.”
· In St. Regis Falls, area American Legion posts joined with Franklin County first responders to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The commemoration included a remembrance procession through St. Regis Falls that was followed by a ceremony, which featured local speakers who responded to Ground Zero in the weeks following the terror attacks, as well as from American Legion Post 322 Commander Ralph LaPage, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division. “On Sept. 11, 2001, I learned of the attack when my company was in the field, trucks rolled up and we were brought back to the barracks and placed on lock down,” LaPage said. “Three weeks later we were on a C-17 headed for Uzbekistan.”
North Carolina
· In Asheville, Francy-Burdette Post 70 held a ceremony to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and prisoners of war. The ceremony also included a flag disposal, highlighting the proper way to retire an American flag.
· In King, American Legion Post 290 and Unit 290 conducted a commemoration service to honor responders. The post and unit also provided donuts and breakfast sandwiches before the ceremony.
Ohio
· In Loudonville, American Legion Post 257 organized a 9/11 memorial ceremony at Central Park that honored both the lives lost during the attacks, and those military members and civilians affected in the years that followed. The Loudonville Police Department and Loudonville Fire Department also participated in the ceremony. “(It was) the single greatest loss of life for American law enforcement and the service in our nation’s history,” Post 257 Commander Jeff Marotta said. “For those of you who grew up in the shadow of that day, 9/11 is not a chapter in a history book. It is the day the world changed on American soil, in real time, in front of us. We will never forget it.”
· In Conneaut, American Legion Cowle Post 151 hosted a ceremony remembering the first responders who were killed during the 9/11 attacks at Corpus Christi Parish. Conneaut police officers and firefighters at the ceremony were recognized for their work.
Oklahoma
In Norman, American Legion Post 88 hosted a remembrance ceremony attended by police officers, city officials and other first responders.
Pennsylvania
· In Breckenridge, members of American Legion Post 226 participated in the annual Moving Flag Tribute, joining with others to keep American flags in constant motion for the duration of the 9/11 attacks, from the time the terrorists first crossed through airport security early 9/11 to when President George Bush addressed the nation that evening. Post 226 is one of the hosts of the tribute.
· In Gilbert, community members, veterans and local officials gathered at American Legion Post 927 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. “Today is a little more significant as it’s the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” Post 927 Commander Everett Shaver said. “We remember where we were that fateful day. Our loved ones and community were affected. We lost members affected by the tragedy. Today is about remembering.”
Washington
· In Ephrata, American Legion Post and Unit 28 hosted a Patriot Day ceremony to honor both those lost on 9/11 and those who continue to serve their communities. The ceremony paid tribute to those lost on 9/11, military members who served in the ensuing War on Terror and local first responders whose daily work continues that legacy of service. "We will remember. None of us will ever forget what happened in America 25 years ago today," Post 28 Commander Jeff Crowsey said. "Good and decent people died, and new American heroes died trying to save them. Their sacrifice stands as the highest form of service and devotion to their fellow citizens.”
· In Bainbridge Island, Colin Hyde Post 172 teamed with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department and the Bainbridge Island Police Department for a remembrance ceremony at Station 51 to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The ceremony honored the 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers who lost their lives while responding to the attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City.
Wisconsin
In Appleton, the Scarlet Guard American Legion Color Guard organized a 9/11 remembrance that brought together citizens of Appleton, Grand Chute and all of the Fox Valley. The ceremony took place at Appleton American Legion Post 38’s Don Hawkins Field.
The commemoration ceremony honored victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, airline flight takeovers and American military service personnel who have died in the war against terrorism while other members of the service continue to fight.
“We must never forget those who lost their lives on September 11 or those who gave their lives serving this country,” said Post 38 Commander Jonathan Reid.
- Honor & Remembrance