Never Forget!

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The Moapa Valley Fire District (MVFD) held its fourth annual 9-11 Memorial Walk along the main street in Overton on Sunday, September 11.

About 100 people participated in the walk which began at the Overton public library branch, continuing south through the main street commercial district to Alma Ave.; then turned around and returned back to the MVFD Fire Station #74.

The route was designed to included a total of 2,977 steps: one for each life lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The first 343 steps were taken in remembrance of the firefighters who lost their lives in the attacks. At that point, early in the walk, the crowd stopped and took a moment of silence to remember those men and women who gave their all in service to others.

Similar stops were made to honor police, military and emergency medical service personnel lost on that day.

This annual memorial walk was established in 2019 when local volunteer firefighter Blake Empey decided that something needed to be done locally to commemorate 9/11.
“Other fire departments across the country do things to remember this day,” Empey said in some opening comments at Sunday’s event. “Some walk up flights of stairs or have special ceremonies of some kind. I just felt that we ought to do something here.”

Empey and a number of his MVFD comrades led the procession carrying flags in full firefighter turnout gear.
“It is just something to remember and look back at the events of that day when we all came together as Americans,” Empey said. “Our nation seems to be really divided right now over a lot of things. But even though the memories of that day are difficult for many, they are also strong because it was the one time, at least in my lifetime, when we were all unified.”

A few area residents, many of whom were unable to make the walk themselves, gathered on the sidewalk along the main street to watch the procession go by. Many of these carried flags and wore patriotic colors.

The mood was solemn and hushed as the procession approached. Gary and Vanette Christensen, owners of Xtreme Stitch in Overton, stood out in front of their business to watch the proceedings. Rather than cheering as the procession went by, they stood quietly at attention with hands over their hearts.
“This is a wonderful way to bring the community together and remember what happened that day,” said Vanette Christensen. “It is important that we don’t ever forget.”

Gary Christensen said that he was encouraged to see so many people participating in the memorial walk. But he was disappointed not to see more people along the sidewalks showing support.

“I understand that some people can’t make the walk because of physical limitations and such,” he said. “But anyone can stand along the roadside and show support. Hopefully next year there will be a better turnout for that.”

After returning to the fire station building, the participants watched several video presentations remembering the events of that day 21 years ago.

MVFD Assistant Chief Chance Munford noted that everyone alive at that time can remember exactly where they were when the Twin Towers fell.
“I was in sixth grade English class,” he said. “A lot of people were at their daily jobs. But there are a lot of kids here that weren’t even a thought at that time.”

Munford said that having the children there to participate in the event, was teaching them about what happened that day and internalizing the message.
“By bringing them here, we show them what it means to be a community and to be an American and remembering what happened and the sacrifices that were made,” Munford said. “We will try to continue doing this every year.”