Dear Editor,

Twenty years have passed since the horrific 9/11 terrorist attacks on our great nation. The Kosciusko County 9/11 Memorial Remembrance Committee offers our Thanks to all who attended and participated in the 20^th memorial ceremony and parade this past Sept. 11.  Our gratitude goes to all the family members of emergency responders who have died while on duty in Kosciusko County for their sacrifice and for attending the ceremony. We hope everyone appreciated the remembrance and will keep the victims of 9/11 and their families in your thoughts and in your hearts, and that we all renew our vow to “NEVER FORGET!”

Through the years, we have not allowed political activity during our ceremonies.  This year, we have been told there was a campaign worker requesting signatures on a political petition prior to the ceremony. While it was probably an innocent situation, that activity was not authorized or condoned by our committee and we hope that it did not detract from the ceremony.

Special thanks to our featured speaker, Chris Francis (and for his donation for monument engraving), to Brad Kellar for his singing, to Scout Troop 715 for leading the Pledge of Allegiance, to Derek Tenney for providing the sound, to the Indiana Guard Reserve for presenting the Colors, to the Kosciusko County Honor Guard for TAPS and American Legion Post 49 for the 21-gun salute, the Patriot Guard Riders for the flag display and parade assistance, Patten Monument for engraving on the monument, as well as the Honor and Remember group for presenting the Honor and Sacrifice flag to the family of fallen Officer Jason Dobbins.

Our theme this year was “Remembering 9/11—Celebrating the Spirit of Sept. 12, when we were all patriotic Americans.  It is our hope and belief that reviving the Spirit of Sept. 12 can help to heal the divisions in our great and wonderful country.

9/11 Memorial Remembrance Committee