Manson’s fire truck, “Tower 51”, flying a 20 x 30 foot American Flag over Wapato Way was the perfect backdrop for Manson’s Remembering 9/11. This event was held on Saturday – September 11th at 8:30 am at the American Legion Park with nearly 200 in attendance. The Manson American Legion and Chelan VFW co-sponsored the event with support from Manson High School and the Manson Fire Department.
American Legion Post Service Office, Norm Manly opened the Patriots Day event. “We are here to remember the 2,977 souls who lost their lives twenty years ago and countless more that have given the ultimate sacrifice since that fateful day, fighting terrorism. We honor the thirteen US Service men and women who recently lost their lives at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan defending America and Americans. Let’s pray they will be the last service personnel to die in Afghanistan.” Norm shared his feelings and emotions the morning of September 11, 2001 as he watched the airliners crash into the Twin Towers in New York. “It is a memory I will never forget,” he said.
The Color Guard, under the direction of American Legion Vice Commander Brian Strausbaugh Posted Colors. This was followed by an opening prayer from Pastor Craig Rayment of North Shore Bible Church.
American Legion Commander, Clyde McCullugh, representing the American Legion and the Chelan VFW shared his joy in holding the 9/11 Remembrance and his memories of that ominous morning in 2001.
Seniors from Manson High School, who had not been born by September 11, 2001, contributed to this memorial. Francisco rang a bell followed with a reading from each student, Mable, Kim, Irasema, April and Autumn. Each presented facts regarding planes involved in the attack and the total number of people killed that day. People in attendance were ask to give a moment of silence and think about the 2,977 individuals that were lost. Taps was played.
Norm Manly introduced Dan Crandall, President Chelan Firefighters Association and Ray Eickmeyer, Director of Lake Chelan EMS. Each talked about the morning of September 11th, 2001, where they were and their emotions that morning still stirs up today.
A display table, holding thirteen American flags along with the names of military personnel killed in the terrorist explosion at the Kabul Airport was an amazing sight. The flag stand, made by craftsman Jeff Stoelk was beautiful. Jeff used three different hardwoods. American Red Oak, one of the hardest woods in American represented the fact that our soldiers were trained to be hard and tough, at the same time compassionate. The top of the stand featured a piece of Blood Wood, representing the ultimate sacrifice they gave to our country that day. Finally, the stand rested on a hardwood from Brazil, Purple Heart. Each of these soldiers certainly are deserving of one of this nation’s highest military awards, a Purple Heart of their own.
At 9:00 Vice Commander asked the Color Guard to retrieve Colors. Norm thanked everyone in attendance and all that took part in the 9/11 Remembrance. The event ended with the Lake Chelan Patriotic singers leading us in “God Bless America”.
There were many positive comments from people in attendance, this will become an annual event in Manson.
Submitted By Norm Manly
Post Service Officer, Manson American Legion
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