By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
The Madison Township Fire and Police Honor Guards presented the colors at the beginning of the annual 9-11 remembrance ceremony held at Motts Military Museum, 5075 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport. On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists crashed hijacked jet airliners into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City as well as into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth hijacked jet airliner, that officials believe was targeting Washington, D.C., crashed in Pennsylvania when the plane’s passengers fought the terrorists. The 9-11 ceremony honored and remembered those who lost their lives in the attack and those who served in the rescue efforts in the aftermath.
It’s been 22 years. A blink of an eye in terms of time. But the sorrow lingers.
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists crashed hijacked jet airliners into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City as well as into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth hijacked jet airliner, that officials believe was targeting Washington, D.C., crashed in Pennsylvania when the plane’s passengers fought the terrorists.
A large crowd of citizens, elected officials, firefighters, police, and others gathered at Motts Military Museum, 5075 S. Hamilton Road in Groveport, on Sept. 11, 2023 to honor and remember those who lost their lives in the attacks and those who served in the rescue efforts in the aftermath.
The air was calm and the sky was bright and blue during the ceremony, much like it was on that sad day 22 years ago.
“Everybody has a place they’re supposed to be on 9-11,” said Madison Township Assistant Fire Chief Chas Adams. “Everybody has a connection to 9-11.”
Stephen Spelman, a retired New York paramedic and survivor of the 9-11 attack who was at Ground Zero and who was one of the guest speakers at the event, said that remembering 9-11 is about honoring the 2,977 civilians, military, rescue personnel, and law enforcement officials “who were murdered on 9-11.”
“I saw the worst of humanity and the best of humanity in a matter of minutes (on 9-11),” said Spelman. “Crossing the bridge on our way to the scene all we could see were billows of smoke where on a normal day we would’ve seen the twin towers.”
Spelman recalled seeing people jumping from the World Trade Center towers, some holding hands, as they chose to end their lives that way rather than to burn to death. He lauded the bravery of the rescuers who ran into the cloud of debris to save people.
“The dust has not settled,” said Lt. Col. Perry Blackburn of the Fifth Special Forces Group and 12 Strong and who was another speaker at the ceremony. “There are still stories to be told.”
Dan Burill, a registered nurse with the Alaska DMAT 1 Team who went to Ground Zero to help and who also spoke at the ceremony, said when he touched the smashed Ladder Truck 18 from the Fire Department of New York, that is part of the Motts Military Museum’s vast collection of 9-11 artifacts, the smells and sensations of the past all came back to him.
“I was in the moment again,” said Burill.
Burill recalled treating patients anywhere they could, including on banquet tables at the Stage Door Inn.
“Difficulties are overcome with camaraderie,” Burill told the audience at the ceremony. “Americans have a genetic ability to do and say, ‘I am here to help.’ When trouble arises, listen to the voice within you that tells you, ‘This is where you are supposed to be.’”
Motts Military Museum Deputy Director Lori Motts Byrd reminded everyone, “Never forget 9-11. Be the voice for those who cannot speak.”
