There are very few citizens of our country who didn’t stop at some time today and reflect on what happened in New York City on this date 15 years ago. We thought about where we were and what we first thought was happening. And we thought about how we felt when we realized what really was happening.
There is an annual ceremony on Patriots Day on Mackinac, and this afternoon the ceremony was held at the island’s replica of the Statue of Liberty. Our emergency vehicles, first responders, and American Legion Post 299 all took part in the remembrance program.
Today’s Patriots Day ceremony. (Photo: Clark Bloswick)
Earlier today members of the Mackinac Island Fire Department, as well as firefighters from St. Ignace, Pickford and Topinabee took part in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to honor the New York City firemen who died on that fateful day.
Firefighters walked the stairs to Fort Holmes (141 steps) repeatedly until they made their goal of 14 round trips. The original World Trade Center numbeed 110 floors. There were 2,071 stairs from the ground to the top. This would equal 14 trips up the Fort Holmes stairs. (Photo: Robert McGreevy)
Participants in today’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb (Photo: Joan Barch)
Upon completion each Firefighter rang a bell attached to the top.
This afternoon I watched the movie Pearl Harbor, released in 2001, just a few months before the 9/11 attacks. At the end of the movie, in a voiceover, Evelyn says, “When the action is over and we look back, we understand both more and less. America suffered, but America grew stronger. The times tried our souls, and through the trial, we overcame.”
I remember how America came together after 9/11, and I remember how we grew stronger. I remember how we filled our churches and prayed for our country.
We need to continue those prayers.
God bless.
Bree's Mackinac Island Blog 
Thank you for sharing this post and helping us all to always remember…
Also saw a special remembrance today…..will never forget…
Beautiful story!
I watched a PBS program on the commentary. After NYC and Flight 93, I don’t think as much about it.
I was talking to our minister this morning. He spent the past week fishing in the UP. He said there was a parade of tractors on the bridge last weekend. Do you know what it was?
Lauri, it’s an annual thing they do – a display of antique tractors. I think last week’s was the 9th one.
Well said & so true.
Thank you.
Gail
Brenda,
As long as I am able to think, I’ll remember what happened, but the older I get, the more it seems to bother me. Nevertheless, I was glad to see that there were young people at the memorial on the Island. I know they weren’t born then or are too young to remember, but they certainly need to know that it happened.
Thank you for this post. We MUST keep remembrances! It’s the least we can do for those that perished. The firefighters there on the island made me cry. Of course, it really doesn’t take much. And I think Evelyn’s words…..is what’s so special about America. Our “cowboy” spirit may not make everyone happy but I think it’s part of the “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” spirit we have also. It’s the only way to find good, or BRING good, out of such horrible tragedies. That and our basic faith that this country was founded on. As long as that’s still among us, I think we’ll be ok. Although, a bit sadder and little less innocent.
Very well said!
I’ll always remember that day.
Thanks for the great blog today!