Sept. 11 is National Day of Service and Remembrance along with Patriots Day.
It was that fateful day, 23 years ago, nearly 3,000 men and women lost their lives to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City, the U.S. Pentagon building in Washington DC, and on United Flight 93.
“Close to 400 of those were First Responders – 23 NYC police officers, 37 Port Authority officers, and 343 NYC firefighters and paramedics,” said Karl Knutsen at the special remembrance ceremony Wednesday hosted by VFW Jimmie Connors Post 6311 and 5.11 Tactical.
He added: “The valiant efforts and quick thinking of these selfless heroes successfully saved and evacuated an estimated 33,000 or more people.”
Honored veterans, community members, and distinguished guests gathered at the local VFW hall for the morning event honoring all first responders.
“(They) gave the ultimate sacrifice that day,” said Knutsen, Post 6311 Senior Vice Commander, while also recognized two First Responders – Officer Darron Burks of the Dallas police and firefighter Andrew Pontius of the Los Angeles Fire Department – who recently died in the line of duty.
Among the special guests were Manteca Battalion Fire Chief Franco Torrice and Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer.
They were joined by Chaplin Selina Waldrup (benediction), Honor Guard Commander Bob Appler (presentation of the colors), and VFW Auxiliary member Teri Torres (National Anthem).
Marking the occasion was the Ringing of the Bell – nine for the month, 11 for the day – along with a 21-gun salute.
They echoed the words from Sept. 11, 2001: “Never Forget.”
“The attack shook the foundations of our country. But from that tragedy, we also saw the very best of the American spirit – we saw ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of courage, selflessness, and resolve,” said Schluer, noting that first responders rushed towards the danger while putting their lives on the line to save others.
On this day of remembrance, he also praised those who answered the call to serve their country in the wake of 9/11.
“You have fought to defend our freedoms and to protect our way of life, and for that, we owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid,” said Schluer, who paid tribute to Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II.
The 36-year-old Marine from Manteca was killed on May 5, 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Charles Palmer gave the ultimate sacrifice in the call to 9/11 and war on terrorism,” he said.
Torrice said that while the events of Sept. 11 was “meant to break us, but instead it brought us closer together.”
He also remembered “the families who lost loved ones (and) the survivors who carried scars from that day – their pain and courage is woven into the fabric of our country.”
Volunteers helped place 2,400 flags along city streets as part of the Manteca Chamber of Commerce’s Flags Over Manteca launched on the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
In Lathrop, City Council recognized the Lathrop Sunrise Rotary Club with a certificate of appreciation for installing American flags on this day along with Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Presidents Day, and Fourth of July.
Elected leaders, in addition, proclaimed September as First Responders Appreciation Month – flags were placed on the Lathrop Veterans Memorial Wall at Valverde Park to mark the occasion.
