NL_092117

8 | September 21, 2017 | The New Lenox Patriot News
newlenoxpatriot.com
NL speakers focus on positive response that followed 9/11 attacks
Megann Horstead
Freelance Reporter
Every year on 9/11, Americans
gather to remember the
tragedy that shook the nation.
Yet for all the talk about
9/11, elements of the attacks
and the actions leading up
to it have receded, in part,
from public knowledge sixteen
years later. The part of
the tragedy that continues to
ring true for many is the way
people responded in the aftermath.
That was the message captured
during the Patriotic
Day Remembrance and Recognition
Day, held Sept. 11
at New Lenox Village Commons
Fireman’s Memorial.
The program, moderated by
the Rev. Jim McGuire of Joliet
Area Community Hospice,
began with a presentation of
colors by American Legion
Post 1977 and Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 9545.
McGuire welcomed the
crowd in attendance for
coming out and asked them
to stand and join him in the
Pledge of Allegiance to the
United States of America.
They remained standing
thereafter for the singing of
the National Anthem.
Mayor Tim Baldermann
took a moment to acknowledge
the unfortunate scrutiny
men and women in blue
face in today’s world and
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thanked the many first responders
and military members
for their efforts during
the morning of 9/11.
“We can never forget the
horrific event,” he said. “We
remember how our country
came together, and now,
more than ever, we need to
focus on that despite our
differences. We should be
kinder, more passionate, and
remember despite those differences,
we live in the greatest
country in the world.”
On the morning of Sept.
11, 2001, four passenger jet
airliners were hijacked and
crashed into the twin towers
of the World Trade Center in
New York City, the Pentagon
Building in Arlington, Virginia,
and a field in Summerset
County, Pennsylvania.
The tragedy took its toll on
the nation’s people that day
killing 265 on the four passenger
planes, including 19
terrorists; 2,606 in the World
Trade Center and in the surrounding
area; 125 inside
the Pentagon; 343 New York
firefighters; 23 New York
police officers; and 37 New
York port authority officers.
Sgt. Michael Nuesse, of
the New Lenox Police Department,
recounted the time
he served on the Air Force
the morning of 9/11 and said
he was stationed in England
at the time for routine training,
preparation and normal
assignment.
“Everybody was in disbelief,”
he said. “The base was
on lockdown alert. The level
went to high, and we took
inventory of loved ones and
came together.”
Nuesse had served in the
Air Force for a seven-year
span from 1998 to 2005
and wanted to give his perspective
on how he and his
base felt, how other bases
were locked down, the affect
it had on armed forces
around the country, the way
it changed our way of life,
and pay tribute to the fallen.
New Lenox Police Department Sgt. Micah Nuesse, who served in the Air Force at the time
of the 9/11 attacks, speaks during Patriotic Day Remembrance and Recognition Day at the
Village Commons. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
Members of the American Legion Post 1977 and VFW Post 9545 represent at the ceremony.
“I want everyone to remember
not only on the anniversary,
but to always make
sure we do that,” he said. “...
Everybody there [for the memorial
gathering] was there
to pay tribute, and the mood
was appropriate for what we
wanted to remember.”
A moment of silence was
held for the victims of 9/11
terrorists attacks, followed
by the ringing of the bell
and singing of “America the
Beautiful.”
The Rev. Andrew Harrison,
pastor emeritus of St. Lukes
Please see Memorial, 9
Veterans Alan Perkaus (left to right) of Orland Park, Wade
Krohn, of New Lenox, and Ed Selvas, of New Lenox, pose
for a picture during the ceremony.