First responders honored as nation remembers terror attacks

Now 21 years old, the children born to a world in the aftermath of al-Qaeda attacks targeting the United States of America will never know the joys of virtually unfettered air travel – nor will they ever know what contributions could have been made to better the world in which we live had the lives of 2,974 air workers and passengers, office workers, innocent bystanders and first responders not been snuffed out in the brutal onslaught that occurred Sept. 11, 2001.

Most Americans over the age of 30  – some even younger – know where they were when the 9/11 terror attacks took place. Many others remember being in front of a TV by the time a second hijacked plane struck the second of New York’s Twin Towers, still trying to comprehend the event of the first place striking the first of the American behemoths.

Beaumont-based American Legion Post 33 Commander Seth Wells remembers being in college in Abilene when his father called and told him to turn on the TV: “We are under attack,” he was told. Wells described the sobering feeling as the horror unfolded.

“It didn’t hit right away,” Wells shared. “Then the videos started playing over and over, and then the buildings began to fall.”

Wells is from a military family – his father a Vietnam veteran, his brother a Marine.

“In a matter of hours, our country and our family were again at war,” Wells expressed. “It was a sobering feeling.”

A review of U.S. public opinion in the two decades since 9/11 reported by the Pew Research Center reveals how a badly shaken nation came together, briefly, in a spirit of sadness and patriotism; how the public initially rallied behind the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, though support waned over time; and how Americans viewed the threat of terrorism at home and the steps the government took to combat it.

According to a Pew-released article detailing data culled in the aftermath of 9/11, “It was an era in which television was still the public’s dominant news source – 90% said they got most of their news about the attacks from television, compared with just 5% who got news online – and the televised images of death and destruction had a powerful impact.

“Around 9-in-10 Americans (92%) agreed with the statement, ‘I feel sad when watching TV coverage of the terrorist attacks.’ A sizable majority (77%) also found it frightening to watch – but most did so anyway.”

At 8:46 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, five hijackers took control of American Airlines Flight 11 and flew it into the heart of New York City and the northern facade of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. At 9:03 a.m., five other hijackers flew United Airlines Flight 175 into the southern facade of the South Tower. At 9:37 a.m., another five hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the western facade of the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia. At 10:03 a.m., four hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 93 into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The death toll topped 2,974; many included were first responders who ran into harm’s way as they shepherded others to safety. Other first responders were lost to cancers believingly contracted from the scene of the carnage.

Hardin County ESC No. 2 EMS Assistant Chief of EMS Jim Jones reports that he was working on cancer programs to cover firefighters and medics in the state who are “grossly underserved in that arena” when he happened upon an article detailing “all the first responders at the Twin Towers that died over the years from cancer.”

Jones enlisted the help of Jessica Garza, a firefighter with Lumberton Fire and EMS, to host an event that would honor the more than 400 first responders lost in the 9/11 attacks, while also helping current public servants who are signed up to do the same thing as their predecessors should the need ever arise.

“I was aware of the memorial stair climbs elsewhere, like Dallas and other states, and it occurred to me we haven’t had one here,” Jones said.

Together, the pair rallied interest in hosting the first-ever HCESD2 Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Edison Plaza in downtown Beaumont. Participants will climb 110 flights, or 2,201 steps, in honor of the fallen New York City Fire Department firefighters who died while responding to the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Neighboring fire departments including Bridge City, Beaumont, Port Arthur and others, have expressed interest in participating in the stair climb, as well as fire crews from the local oil and gas refineries.

“We have fire departments as far away as El Campo and DeQuincy, La., who are interested in participating,” Garza said. “It’s for career firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel. It’s for all first responders.”

Garza said the climb welcomes all first responders, but the stair climbing tribute is an event for everyone in the community to come together as in the days following 9/11 and continue to rebuild the communities torn apart by the attacks. There will be an apparatus “show and tell” and the fire museum will be reserved for tours.

“We’ll also have community activities such as face painting, snow cones and kids’ activities,” she added. Garza said Valero will provide food for the participants and the public and Crockett Street will be closed for vendors. “The main thing is to get the ‘brotherhood back tight’ for us to be able to engage the community, and for them to engage with first responders.”

Jones agreed with his contemporary, and said he wants to honor the 362 firefighters and 62 police officers who died at the Twin Towers, but also use this time to re-engage the people he is called to serve.

“That is the original purpose of the climb, (to honor those lost), but I also want us to build a future for our next generation,” he said. “Projects like this are critical to helping build, not just a memorial, but build a future for those folks.”

During this time of remembrance, local heroes are calling for time to reflect on the loss – and on the togetherness the shared suffering spawned.

“May we always recall our resolve and sense of country during those difficult times,” American Legion Commander Wells prays. “The time where we looked at ourselves, and our fellow citizens, to dig deep and persevere.

“Never forget.”

- Dannie Oliveaux and Jennifer Johnson contributed to this report.

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Upcoming Events

 

9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance

Friday, Sept. 9, 12 – 1:30 p.m.

Rockin’ A Café

3520 W. Cardinal Dr., Beaumont

Veterans, active military, and retired or active first responders from Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties are invited to a free lunch. Persons interested in volunteer opportunities with the Golden Triangle RSVP are also encouraged to attend.

 

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Saturday, Sept. 10, 6:45 a.m.

Edison Plaza

350 Pine St., Beaumont

Lumberton Fire and EMS will be hosting its first-ever HCESD2 Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Edison Plaza in downtown Beaumont.

Participants will climb 110 flights, or 2,201 steps, in honor of the 343 who selflessly gave their own lives to save victims under attack during 9/11. All fire departments, police and other first-responded are invited to participate. It is the second in the state. Proceeds will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, as well as the local 501c3 Spindletop Fools.

During the event there will be an apparatus “show and tell,” family activities such as bounce house, and a shuttle to the fire museum.

For more information, visit www.HCESD2memorialclimb.com or on Facebook at
HCESD2Memorialclimb.

 

B-True Event

Saturday, Sept. 10, 4 p.m.

Calvary Tabernacle

2455 Commerce St.
Beaumont

All first responders and city officials, family and friends are invited. There will be free food, games and live music. Also, a basketball game and arm wrestling fundraiser is planned.

Visit online Ctministries.org for all donations and basketball payments. Cash will also be accepted at the event.

 

Patriot Day Commemoration

Saturday, Sept. 11, 8 – 9 a.m.

Temple To The Brave

1350 Pennsylvania, Beaumont

American Legion Post 33 will conduct a
Patriot’s Day Commemoration Ceremony at the Temple To The Brave to commemorate Patriot Day.