Local Law, Fire, Emergency Medical Personnel Remembered During 9/11 Ceremony
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Wanda and Jeff Penn were at Ground Zero in New York City last 9/11 to remember the lives lost in the terrorist attacks.
However, Friday night they joined outside Center Lake Pavilion with hundreds of local residents, city and county officials and emergency personnel for a 9/11 remembrance ceremony.
The hour-long ceremony was sponsored by the Kosciusko County 9/11 Remembrance Committee.
Wanda said she thinks it is important to reflect on the lives lost during 9/11 and remember local people who lost their lives while serving.
"We attended the ceremony because we don't want people to forget what happened on 9/11 and wanted to honor local people who lost their lives in the line of duty," Pat said.
Warsaw Police Department patrolman and 9/11 committee co-chair Mike Cox provided opening remarks during Friday night's ceremony.
"For every victim who died on Sept. 11, 2001, there were several citizens who lived. Family members, co-workers, as well as every citizen in every city and town in the U.S., everyone was affected in some way," Cox said.
Cox and Cathy Reed, 9/11 committee co-chairs, received plaques for their work on the committee.
Four local families were presented with a framed artists rendering of a 9/11 memorial that will be placed north of the flag poles at Center Lake Pavilion in October.
The memorial will represent local emergency personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The families of Harold Shepler, Joseph Bauer, Phillip Hochstetler and Jason Beal received an artist rendering during Friday's ceremony of the memorial where their relatives' names will be placed.
Local law and fire officials spoke about the lives of the men who made sacrifices.Rob Barker, Warsaw Fire Department, reflected on Shepler's life. Shepler, a former Warsaw Fire Department firefighter, died in 1930 while responding to a house fire on East Center Street.
Barker said Shepler sacrificed his life greatly to the county and its citizens and loved to hunt and fish on the local lakes.
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. Sgt. Chad Hill remembered Bauer. Bauer, a former Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept. chief deputy, died in 1954 on Christmas Eve in a traffic accident.
"Even though it's been more than 50 years, police, fire and emergency personnel still respond to the call when needed," Hill said. "They have a calling to serve and Deputy Joe Bauer did exactly that and to that we honor him."
Aaron Rovenstine, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department captain, remembered Hochstetler. Hochstetler, a former KCSD detective sergeant, died in 1994 while interviewing a suspect about a burglary.
Rovenstine said Hochstetler was a hero not just because he died in the line of duty, but because he chose a profession where there was a possibility he might die in the line of duty.
"I remember Phil telling his silly jokes, talking about his love for golf, and telling police war stories and the picture in my mind will always be of Phil grinning," Rovenstine said.
Chad Larsh, Indiana State Police sergeant, remembered Beal. Beal, a former Indiana State Police Trooper, died in 2000.
Beal, formerly of Shelbyville, was patrolling in southeastern Kosciusko County when he stopped to assist a wrecker operator who was pulling a car out of a ditch. As two men worked along Ind. 14, the driver of a passing vehicle lost control of her car on the icy roadway, striking and killing the trooper.
Larsh recalled Beal as someone who loved his family and loved to turkey hunt.
A 21-gun salute was conducted by American Legion Post 49. The honor guard, consisting of law enforcement, retired the colors.
Carol Stanton, executive interim director for American Red Cross of Kosciusko County, announced the Kosciusko County Fire Departments won the "Battle of the Badges 2009" for collecting more than 186 units of blood, saving more than 558 lives.
During July, August and September emergency personnel throughout Kosciusko County donated blood.
Winona Lake Police Officer Brad Kellar sang the national anthem. Ed Rock, Kosciusko County Emergency Management director, also sang.
The ceremony ended with fire truck lights going off in sync.
