Mesquite Exchange Club Holds Solemn Ceremony

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Mesquite observed the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 on Saturday evening with a public ceremony in front of City Hall. The event was organized by members of the Exchange Club of Mesquite.

The ceremony was solemn and beautiful under the setting sun. A huge flag waved from the top of the Fire Department ladder truck parked on site. The street in front of City Hall was lined with police cars and fire trucks.

At 6:25 pm the sirens sounded for 30 seconds. The crew of Mercy Air, based in Mesquite, showed their respect and support with a flyover. The 30-second siren sound is a call to service for police and fire and emergency response teams.

The Exchange Club focused the service this year on the youth involved in the 9/11 tragedy and also on a reminder to young people who were not yet born about the occurrences of that fateful day.

Twenty children, families members of local police and firefighters, were invited to present the American Flag at the ceremony. Each child was guided onto the field by exchange club members Dr. Peggy Purner and Sandra Edmonds. A bell was rung 20 times, once for each child with a flag.

Members of the Mesquite Methodist Church Choir performed the National Anthem. Fire Chief Jayson Andrus and Police Captain Quinn Averett each performed the laying of the memorial wreath. Dennis Hangey performed “Amazing Grace” on his bagpipes.

“The attacks of September 11 were a strike to the heart of all of us, no matter when or where we were born,” said Exchange Club President Paul Benedict. “What happened to America that day, and what we did about it and what we are doing about it is not about war, or about money, or about race, or about politics, but about our state of mind. Let us never forget!”

Mesquite Mayor Al Litman spoke of how united all Americans became on that day, and how we must get back as a county to being united again.

“This is something every one of the schools should be involved with every year,” Litman said. “We need to teach our kids that we should remember.”

Police Lieutenant Christopher Rowley spoke of how no one thought they would be a become a hero that day. He spoke about how ordinary people become extraordinary people when the need arises.

Myia Alejos, the daughter of a local policeman, told the audience how proud she was of her dad and how he always helped others. She said being a child of a first responder also meant not having your father or mother home on your birthday or having to celebrate holidays a day late. “I will remember how the first responders risked their lives on 9/11,” Alejos said.

Fire Chief Jason Andrus said, “I would like to thank everyone here, it means a lot to us that you are here at this ceremony. It is vital that we remember and teach our children what happened on our soil, 20 years ago.”

Andrus introduced Kaycee Browning daughter of a firefighter. Browning also spoke of not having her father at home during holidays. “But that is okay because I am proud of him being a first responder,” she said.

“The men and women of Mesquite Fire & Rescue and Mesquite Police are proud to stand with our brothers and sisters in blue always ready to answer the call and to serve our community,” Andrus concluded.

This led to a rousing standing ovation from the crowd.

Mesquite resident Sandy Royer and her spouse were touched by the presentation. “It was very emotional and very sincere,” she said. “If anyone has not attended one of these ceremonies, they should.”
Benedict reminded the audience that 800 children lost their fathers that day. 100 babies were born a month later with no father.

“Approximately 225 first responders lose their life every year in the line of duty,” Benedict said. “What can we do now? Just remember. Share your thoughts with your children. Pass on our history.”