The community reflected Wednesday night on the 12th anniversary of 9/11 through prayer, song and speeches. A Kosciusko County 2013 Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony, organized by the Kosciusko County 9/11 Remembrance Planning Committee, was outside Center Lake Pavilion at the 9/11 memorial. Mike Cox, 9/11 committee co-chair, provided opening remarks, and Ken Locke, 9/11 committee member, led a prayer for the victims, their families and government officials. Cox spoke about the importance of remembering 9/11. “On that horrific day nearly 3,000 people were killed due to the cowardly plots of radical Islamic terrorists,” Cox said. “Among those were more than 400 emergency responders. Another 50 or more have since died from 9/11-related illnesses.” Cox said Wednesday’s ceremony was to provide a permanent visible reminder of 9/11. State Representative Rebecca Kubacki was the featured speaker. She spoke about the lives lost on 9/11, and the first responders who assisted the victims. “That morning fathers kissed their families goodbye as they did every morning. Mothers dropped off their children at school or daycare as they did every morning,” Kubacki said. Kubacki said little would the world know of the tragic turn of events the country would face in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Kubacki said the fears of the 200 people who jumped from the burning towers vanished as their bodies spiraled downward, their souls flew upward to the heavens. “God did not abandon them in their hour of need. His hand reached out to each of them, guiding them through the horror to a safe place,” Kubacki said. Kubacki spoke about the memorial that was built to honor lives lost in 9/11, and names of the deceased that are etched in the memorial. “Those who lost their lives that day are now protecting us, defending our liberty etched in bronze,” Kubacki said. Lake Area Community Band played before and after the ceremony. Indiana Guard Reserve presented the colors. Local resident Bryce Lippe sang the National Anthem; Brad Kellar, Warsaw Police Department, sang “God Bless The USA”; Ivory West, local artist, sang “America The Beautiful”; and Ed Rock, Kosciusko County Emergency Management Services director, sang “In God We Still Trust.” Boy Scout Troop 715 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Wendy Glaser, American Red Cross Blood Services donor representative, announced the Battle of the Badges winner where local agencies competed to donate the most blood. Multi-Township EMS collected the most blood during blood drives in July and August. The organization will receive a traveling trophy. Meredith Perks, regional director for U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, read a letter from the senator on the importance of commemorating 9/11. Rich Maron, veterans services officer, discussed the significance of the folding of the flag, and Indiana Guard Reserve members folded the flag. Also on hand were Indiana Patriot Guard members, Marine and Legion Riders and numerous emergency agencies.
