Firefighters and other emergency workers were honored Friday during a somber ceremony in Bonduel marking the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.
More than 100 people gathered inside the Village Park pavilion in remembrance of the hundreds of first responders who were killed on that historic day 14 years ago.
“We want to remind those who tried to hurt us that we will never forget,” said state Rep. Gary Tauchen, R-Bonduel, who was keynote speaker at the event.
Tauchen compared the terrorist attack, which brought down the World Trade Center towers in New York City with hijacked airliners, to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He remembered watching the horrific events unfold on television at his home on that morning in 2001.
“You knew that we were in a world of hurt,” he said.
Members of the Bonduel High School band and choir treated the crowd to the “Star-Spangled Banner” and other patriotic songs, while the colors were presented by American Legion Post 217, Boy Scout Troop 24 and Cub Scout Troop 304.
Marvin Klosterman, the master of ceremonies, noted that many children aspire to become firefighters because they dream of a glamorous occupation. Klosterman, however, said local first responders are committed to public service without any expectation of glamour or recognition.
“Thank goodness we have them,” he added.
The crowd delivered heartfelt applause as certificates of appreciation were handed out to individual members of the Bonduel Fire Department, Police Department and emergency medical crew.
Leaders of the three first-responder agencies also addressed the crowd and expressed thanks for the show of support.
“Your being here tonight makes it all worth it,” Police Chief Todd Chaney said.
Rodney Hoppe, director of the emergency medical team, described the commitment that his crew members and other first responders bring to the job.
With support from their own family members, each first responder knows that the call of duty can come at any hour of the day and any day of the year, Hoppe said. But all share a commitment to race into action whenever an emergency takes place.
“You don’t know where it’s going to happen, and you don’t know when it’s going to happen,” he said. “You just go.”
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