9/11 Remembrance Flag Raised At War Memorial

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer-

As National Guardsmen Sfc. Dennis Harlan and Ssg. Dan Murphy held the Remembrance Flag while Warsaw firefighters Kenny Shepherd, Mike Brubaker and Kreg Warren manned the War Memorial flag pole ropes this morning.

The red, white and blue symbol-laden banner features the Two Towers surrounded by a pentagon. The Remembrance Flag was hoisted below the U.S. flag, raised to the pole's top and lowered to half mast in honor of those who lost their lives in New York City and in Pennsylvania five years ago on this date.

The short event on the southwest corner of the Kosciusko County Courthouse lawn was organized by the Sons of the American Revolution.

SAR member Ken Locke asked for a few moments of silence in honor of the citizens who lost their lives when two airplanes hit the World Trade Center in New York City and another crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Another airplane went down in Pennsylvania when passengers overpowered terrorists who had taken over the aircraft's controls.

Locke said the Remembrance Flag's stars symbolize the airplane's passengers sacrificed on Sept. 11, 2001. The star outside the pentagon represents the diverted plane.

The red background symbolizes the lives lost and bloodshed of Americans past, present and future.

"The pentagon and two rectangles represent three of the most recognized structures ever built on U.S. soil. The Twin Towers may be out of our sight, but never out of our minds," Locke said.

The circle around the pentagon represents the unity that occurred after the tragedy. Instead of fear and helplessness, Americans united to comfort grieving hearts and to restore shattered dreams.

"The 'God Bless America' slogan has been adopted to represent the hope and faith of our nation, a reminder to the world that evil may pierce our hearts, but God will permeate our souls," he said.

Locke reminded everyone that the names of three fallen soldiers have been added to the War Memorial in the last six years: David Fribley and Brock Beery, who died in Iraq, and Michael Todd Fiscus, who died in Afghanistan.

Sunday, emergency vehicles paraded through Warsaw on a route from Boggs Industrial Park to the fairgrounds in a silent tribute to the people who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001.

More than 60 entries, black shrouded emergency vehicles, from area police, fire and ambulance services and four private vehicles passed through the streets silently with lights flashing.

An honor guard was posted at the courthouse and a garrison-sized U.S. flag was held between two firetrucks at the intersection of Center and Buffalo streets.

A short ceremony was held at the fairgrounds with opening remarks by Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins. Lauren Forstein read an original poem. Ken Locke spoke and Ed Rock sang patriotic songs. A moment of silence also was observed. [[In-content Ad]]

As National Guardsmen Sfc. Dennis Harlan and Ssg. Dan Murphy held the Remembrance Flag while Warsaw firefighters Kenny Shepherd, Mike Brubaker and Kreg Warren manned the War Memorial flag pole ropes this morning.

The red, white and blue symbol-laden banner features the Two Towers surrounded by a pentagon. The Remembrance Flag was hoisted below the U.S. flag, raised to the pole's top and lowered to half mast in honor of those who lost their lives in New York City and in Pennsylvania five years ago on this date.

The short event on the southwest corner of the Kosciusko County Courthouse lawn was organized by the Sons of the American Revolution.

SAR member Ken Locke asked for a few moments of silence in honor of the citizens who lost their lives when two airplanes hit the World Trade Center in New York City and another crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Another airplane went down in Pennsylvania when passengers overpowered terrorists who had taken over the aircraft's controls.

Locke said the Remembrance Flag's stars symbolize the airplane's passengers sacrificed on Sept. 11, 2001. The star outside the pentagon represents the diverted plane.

The red background symbolizes the lives lost and bloodshed of Americans past, present and future.

"The pentagon and two rectangles represent three of the most recognized structures ever built on U.S. soil. The Twin Towers may be out of our sight, but never out of our minds," Locke said.

The circle around the pentagon represents the unity that occurred after the tragedy. Instead of fear and helplessness, Americans united to comfort grieving hearts and to restore shattered dreams.

"The 'God Bless America' slogan has been adopted to represent the hope and faith of our nation, a reminder to the world that evil may pierce our hearts, but God will permeate our souls," he said.

Locke reminded everyone that the names of three fallen soldiers have been added to the War Memorial in the last six years: David Fribley and Brock Beery, who died in Iraq, and Michael Todd Fiscus, who died in Afghanistan.

Sunday, emergency vehicles paraded through Warsaw on a route from Boggs Industrial Park to the fairgrounds in a silent tribute to the people who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001.

More than 60 entries, black shrouded emergency vehicles, from area police, fire and ambulance services and four private vehicles passed through the streets silently with lights flashing.

An honor guard was posted at the courthouse and a garrison-sized U.S. flag was held between two firetrucks at the intersection of Center and Buffalo streets.

A short ceremony was held at the fairgrounds with opening remarks by Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins. Lauren Forstein read an original poem. Ken Locke spoke and Ed Rock sang patriotic songs. A moment of silence also was observed. [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Purdue Extension To Hold Program On Keeping Track Of Your Medical Information
Porter County Health and Human Science Educator Annetta Jones will present the educational program “Keeping Track of your Medical Information” on May 28 at noon at the Home and Family Arts Building at the Kosciusko Fairgrounds, 1400 E. Smith St., Warsaw.

Generous Coffee Celebrates One-Year Anniversary With News For The Future
This past weekend, Generous Coffee marked its one-year anniversary in downtown Warsaw by celebrating community, collaboration and generosity.

Two Women Have Filed For Etna Green Clerk-Treasurer
Two women - Barbara A. Wagoner and Candice Smith - have filed for the Etna Green clerk-treasurer position as of Saturday.

KYLA Accepts Applications For 2025-26
Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year.

Reps. Abbott, Snow On End Of Legislative Session
STATEHOUSE – The 2025 legislative session ended with passage of the state's next two-year budget as well as tax relief and other key priorities for Hoosiers, according to State Reps. David Abbott (R-Rome City) and Craig Snow (R-Warsaw).