This Saturday marks the 20 year anniversary of a dark day in American history. Most of us can remember where we were on 9-11, 2001, the day hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D-C and a field in rural Pennsylvania. Almost 3 thousand innocent people lost their lives.
Few things say Wisconsin more than a brat, fresh off the grill. It’s often the food of choice at picnics, backyard BBQ’s, and other gatherings of family and friends. So it’s no coincidence that Wisconsin brats played a role in the Badger state’s response to the horror of 9-11, in a heartfelt action that started with some cops, firefighters, and EMS drivers from Sheboygan.
The 9-11 attacks on America sent the country into shock and perhaps no more so than for the people who live and work in the lower Manhattan neighborhood that was the home of the World Trade Center. Going through the rubble, searching for victims and trying to return the area to something approaching what it was before the planes hit the towers, takes a toll. A Green Bay firefighter was sent to help. Not with the physical work…but with the very heavy emotional lifting.
When we think of 9-11 images of the planes hitting the World Trade Center towers in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C…..or the field in Shanksville P-A may come to mind. You might recall what you were doing when you first heard about it. The 9-11 Anniversary gives us that chance to remember. Then, there’s another group of people …..members of a club no one wants to be a part of.
You almost have to make a special trip to see it…but it’s worth the ride. It’s Wisconsin’s official 9-11 Memorial and it’s in Kewaskum. But this memorial is more than just a spot to reflect, although there’s benches and space to do just that. There’s also an educational component to help assure no one forgets what happened on 9-11.
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