Always remember: Rhinelander marks 25th anniversary of 9/11

Twenty-five Septembers later, the 11th day of the month was once again a cerulean masterpiece, a fleeting glimpse of that Tuesday a quarter century ago in the moments before everything permanently rearranged. On Friday morning a somber crowd gathered at the Oneida County Courthouse in Rhinelander to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and fulfill a collective promise. Organized by the Rhinelander Ministerial Association, the brief remembrance ceremony opened with an invocation from Pastor Rod Ankrom of Calvary Baptist Church memorializing “all of the patriots who lost their lives on and since 9/11,” followed by a salute from the Northwoods Honor Guard, the playing of “Taps” and a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

“Unlike other landmarks in history, we experienced this one together in real time,” Ankrom told the crowd. “On that day, and on the days that followed, political divisions, racial and ethnic divisions, socio-economic divisions — all blurred. We were all just Americans.”

Members of the Rhinelander High School Band performed the national anthem before Rev. Mike Zahn of First United Methodist Church delivered a detailed timeline of the day’s events, tracing the hijackings of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston’s Logan International Airport, American Airlines Flight 77 from Washington Dulles, and United Airlines Flight 93 from Newark, through the collapse of both World Trade Center towers, the attack on the Pentagon, and the crash of Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pa.

“Those of us who remember know that the whole world watched in horror as these tragic events unfolded,” Zahn said. “But may we never forget the spirit of heroism and resilience that refused to be defeated that day.”

Zahn was followed by featured speaker Rev. Norm Peterson, Deputy Chief, Town of Pelican Fire and Rescue, who shared a personal recollection of learning about the attacks, describing watching television coverage as reports of the first plane, then the second, reached him, and recalling images of firefighters walking toward the burning towers as others fled. His voice cracked as recalled driving to his church (Immanuel Lutheran), climbing to the second level of the sanctuary and kneeling at the communion rail to beseech the Lord. Every moment since that day has been a gift, he added, encouraging all those who survived, and those who have come after, to strive to reflect the selflessness and love shown by those who perished.

“I believe that you and I, we are called to live in such a way that each day, our very lives bring honor to the memory of these people who gave so much,” he said. “Never forget. I would rather say “always remember.”

The ceremony continued with a recognition of local protective services — fire, EMS, police and sheriff’s departments, corrections, state patrol, social services, security personnel, and current and veteran military members.

“We honor you for your bravery, running toward danger when others flee,” Ankrom said. “We recognize the shared sacrifices your family and loved ones make.”

Pastor Morgan Simmons of Immanuel Lutheran Church then led a moment of silence and offered a prayer “to remember the lives lost, honor first responders, and to seek peace and healing.” The silence ended when the Rhinelander High School Band began performing “Eternal Father,” the Navy Hymn.

Finally, as a giant flag attached to fire truck ladders waved above Oneida Avenue, Mother Meredyth Albright of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church offered a closing prayer.

“Loving God, source of peace and hope, we entrust to you the souls of all who died on Sept. 11, 2001. Comfort those who still grieve, heal the wounded in body and spirit, and guide our nation in the ways of peace…” she asked.