Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
"We must never forget!"
A quote on the flyer advertising Sunday's September 11 Remembrance Parade sums up the reason local emergency service workers will participate in the event.
Monday marks the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"September 11, 2001, is a date that will forever be remembered for the evil, cowardly murders of thousands of Americans in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Never before have so many emergency services workers made the ultimate sacrifice in one series of events," the flyer says. "On the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, we again plan to honor the memory of our fallen brothers and sisters with a parade through the streets of Warsaw."
According to Mike Cox of the Warsaw Police Department, representatives from police and fire departments, EMS and military units as well as a few private entries will participate in the solemn event Sunday afternoon.
At 4 p.m. Sunday, all units in the parade will travel from Boggs Industrial Park to Center Street. The route continues from Bronson Street, to Smith Street to the fairgrounds.
The parade is silent, with emergency vehicles displaying their lights, but no sirens. Those participating in the parade will drape their vehicles in mourning black. No political campaigning or advertising is allowed at the event.
"This is a pretty solemn remembrance of the tragedy that happened on 9-11," Cox said. "We want to keep what happened in people's minds."
Once at the fairgrounds, the emergency vehicles will park on the old racetrack area while a memorial program takes place.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins will make opening remarks, and then Ed Rock will sing a few songs. The songs will be followed by a reading, then "Taps" will be played to end the ceremony.
"We would like to have a lot of people in the parade and watching it as well," said Cox.
Along the parade route, an honor guard will be posted on the courthouse square, and an American flag will be suspended from two ladder firetrucks at the intersection of Center and Buffalo streets.
Warsaw held a memorial parade on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and more than 100 units with around 400 people participated.
As of Wednesday morning, 26 units from 11 departments including fire, police and American Red Cross representatives already were signed up for Sunday's parade, but Cox said units may enter right up until the time of the parade.
"Hopefully, we'll be well represented in the parade," said Cox.
For more information, contact Shirley Fetrow at 574-372-9502 or Mike Cox at 574-267-4708.
