Carson City remembers Sept. 11: World Trade Center I-Beam at Mills Park symbolic of strength

Carson City residents gathered Friday in Mills Park with law officers and firefighters to remember the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The service was held surrounding a I-beam memorial that was given to Carson City in 2010 by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Among the flowers placed on the beam was as an American flag presented to the Carson City Fire Department by Michael Manfredo. The flag was given to the Carson City man by a son of one of the 343 fighters killed at the World Trade Center that day.

The ceremony drew somber refection of that day, where America suffered its worst attack since Pearl Harbor. Earlier Friday, Carson City Sheriff’s Office deputies had gathered at the memorial I-Beam at 6:37 a.m. the moment when a plane hit the Pentagon, to pay their respects.

Jessica Cossio of Carson City brought her young daughters Sophie, 6, infant Abbie and a niece Kimberly to the memorial Friday noting the day touched all Americans and will forever be a day that Americans will never forget.

“My daughter Sophie said ‘we have to go, Mom.’ With something like this, that is historical to her, it is important for all of us as Americans to remember those who lost their lives that day,” said Cossio.

Eric Reimann of Carson City recalls the day vividly, he was living in Decatur, Alabama at the time and that morning took his brother to the Huntsville International Airport where he was flying back home to Nevada. His brother’s flight made it to Texas before the plane was grounded.

Etched in his mind since that day was seeing his brother looking at his watch at 6:30 a.m. and a group of senior citizens boarding another flight bound for a Florida cruise. After the attacks, everything changed in an instant, said Reimann.

"There was a huge group of excited seniors, awaiting the first leg of the trip to Florida, to embark on a cruise ship. I think of them often," he said. "My brother's flight was rerouted to Texas, where he spent a week, unable to get a flight out. I learned of the attacks once I got home. I took a short nap and was awakened by the radio, and the repeated breaking news. Never forget, indeed."

Friday’s ceremony began with an Invocation by US Navy Ret. Chaplain, Stanley E. Friend, and emceed by Pastor Connie Friend. Keynote addresses were made by Carson City Mayor Robert Crowell, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong and Carson City Fire Assistant Fire Chief Tom Tarulli.

In 2009, Jim Shirk, now a Carson City Supervisor, brought the idea of Carson City applying for approval to receive an artifact from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to the Board of Supervisors. The Board agreed and submitted an application on behalf of the City. Thereafter, in 2010 Carson City received approval to receive an artifact from the Port Authority.

The I-Beam was chosen by the Port Authority. It weighs 1600 pounds, is 10 feet long and 27 inches high. It was up to the local jurisdiction to defray the cost of transportation and insurance to get it here. Shirk raised some $2,000 in donations to defray those costs.

The I-Beam arrived in Carson City in 2010 and was held at Parks and Recreation until a memorial could be built, located and installed. Supervisor Shirk, along with the Carson City Parks Department, arranged for the creation of the Memorial by the Steel Workers Union in Reno in conjunction with Bonanza printing and others, said Crowell.

The Memorial was created and dedicated on 10th anniversary of September 11, namely September 11, 2011. The Memorial is located near the entrance of the Marv Texeira Pavilion. There are plans and a fundraiser to enhance the memorial grounds around the Firefighters Memorial in the grass center area of the entrance to Mills Park. Once that is done, the I-Beam memorial will be prominent in the location.

Crowell thanked Shirk for the work that went into getting the I-Beam to Carson City. Shirk noted many people were involved in the process, all believing the piece is an important part of history and should be represented in Carson City.

The following are remarks, in order, beginning with Mayor Crowell:

On this day, 14 years ago, the United States suffered the worst terrorist attack in world history and the deadliest foreign act of destruction to life and property on American soil since Pearl Harbor.

Two planes were flown into the Twin Towers in New York — symbolically represented by our own memorial here today. A third plane hit the Pentagon and a fourth plane was taken down by its passengers and crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The attacks were carried out by Osama bin Laden’s al-qaeda network of islamic terrorists.
Over 3000 people died on that day in New York — 411 of which were emergency responders — and many others who have as yet not been identified. 125 civilian and military personnel were killed at the Pentagon together with all 64 people on that airplane.
All 45 passengers aboard the flight that crashed in the Pennsylvania field died.
Although those attacks happened 14 years ago, their effects are still being felt today.

According to statistics from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey:
— 71,000 responders and survivors are receiving treatment of some sort.
— 33,000 survivors have at least one injury.
— 22,000 survivors have at least two or more injuries
— 3,700 have cancer related to that day.

Contrary to the intention of the terrorists that attacked (they) did not scare or cower us but rather united us in steely resolve to protect our freedom — a resolve that extends to this day. Indeed, most recently, three Americans traveling together on a high speed train in France thwarted a heavily armed islamic terrorist bent on death and destruction from getting his way.

Long time friends Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler, joined by a British citizen attacked and subdued the terrorist before he could inflict harm to the other passengers. For their bravery they were all awarded the French Legion of Honor.

Osama bin laden is dead but the al-qaeda threat has now been replaced by the even more brutal and radical islamic state in Iraq and Syria with ISIS. To ISIS and others who would do us harm, know this:
We may grow weary of war
We may mourn our dead
We may cry for our wounded
But we will never tire of defending our freedom.

Remarks by Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong:
In memory of the victims of 9/11, we shall never forget the suffering and loss of nearly 3,000 people from 90 countries. It is said that we are at our very best when times are the worst, and we truly are. In the aftermath of 9/11, it is our best of strength that has defined us as Americans and binds us together as an international community in the fight against terrorism.

The steel beams mounted here in Carson City are symbols and a testament to a way of life that cannot be fallen. Built by the hands of Americans, occupied by the international community, and preserved here in Nevada's Capital, the Twin Towers still rise above the grounds that we walk.

We are stronger today because of those who have suffered. Together we seek to achieve greater challenges in a changing world, and forge opportunity in the names of our Heroes lost so that others may enjoy a life free of oppression.

Of the nearly 3,000 victims, 87 percent were merely going about their daily routines, threatening no one; and 13 percent of those lost were merely doing what they do every day — attempting to aid, rescue and retrieve those in need. Let none be forgotten in the steel, concrete, and dust; let them live on with us today and in every day of our lives.

Remarks by Carson City Assistant Fire Chief Tom Tarulli:
A lot has changed since that dark day 14 years ago. There has been an increase focus on protecting Americans from harm and acts of terrorism. Our military has stepped up their strength and abilities to protect our homeland. Public safety has renewed their focus on prevention, protection and multi agency coordinated responses.

Citizens have increased their awareness as to what does not look good and what does not look right and they report it, or speak up or they step in and do something about it. Many citizens have increased their use of the American flag. It is placed everywhere with honor and respect. It is no longer passé to put your flag up. It means something more today.

Many of us have grown stronger in our faith, and are willing to step up, reach out and to help others. What has not changed is that we are still patriots at heart. Not living in fear but are keenly aware of our surroundings. We are still living the American dream knowing that many others in the military and public service are continually protecting us day and night.

That dark day 14 years ago has clearly strengthened our resolve and resilience. This beam from the World Trade Center was formed and put into place to give that building strength and stability. It now sits here in Carson City and helps us to remember the lives that were lost and to give us that strength and stability. Our lives since Sept. 11 should resemble this beam. It may have been bent but it will not break.

Today we remember and honor those many men and women, lay persons and professionals, in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington who stood up and rushed in, and reached out to save others. They gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their life for another. May God bless their families and certainly bless them on this day of remembrance and service. May we never forget. God Bless America.