The community gathered Friday night outside Center Lake Pavilion to commemorate 9/11. The ceremony was sponsored by the Kosciusko County 9/11 Memorial Remembrance Committee. “We are here to commemorate the lives lost and the terrible damage done on that day and support the survivors and their families,” Mike Cox, committee co-chair, said. Cox said the committee is dedicated to remind everyone that the United States was violently attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, and that the U.S. is still at war with those attackers. Lake Area Community Band performed music and military medleys. As each branch of the military’s music was played those who served stood up. Boy Scout Troop 715 led the Pledge of Allegiance, Warsaw Community High School students lead the national anthem and Indiana Guard Reserve posted the colors. Brad Kellar, Warsaw Police Department detective, sang “God Bless The USA” and “Have You Forgotten.” Lane Sumner, chaplain, did the invocation. Indiana Patriot Guard motorcyclists attended and posted rows of flags along Canal Street and at the 9/11 memorial. Benches have been installed by the 9/11 memorial. The benches were purchased by the 9/11 committee from donations and fundraisers. Dan Murphy, Army National Guard sergeant, and James Smith, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputy and an Army Veteran who served in the Iraq War in 2003, were speakers. “September, 11, 2001, began as a normal day for the American citizens, many of whom were starting their normal daily routines. A short while later millions of lives were changed forever,” Murphy said. Murphy said the 14 year anniversary of 9/11 is an occasion to honor the victims of those attacks, to keep faith with their families and to express gratitude to soldiers and airmen who have been at war since then. “During recent conflicts, hundreds of service members have not returned home. Their duty and their sacrifice came at a great cost and reflect the changing mission of the United States military as it transformed into an operational force,” Murphy said. He said service members are on the front lines defending America and the free world from the enemies of freedom. “Let us remember all those deployed today. They are far from home, but close to our hearts. Let us salute them and wish for their safe return,” Murphy said. Smith said he was serving in the Army part time and worked as a route driver for Bertsch Vending when 9/11 occurred. “For the rest of the day this is all I remember hearing about on the radio, in conversations and when I turned on the television,” Smith said. Smith said he received activation orders in January 2003 to report to a new unit in Hobart. At the time his company flew out of Fort Campbell and into Kuwait, his son, Zachary, had been born and was only three weeks old. Smith only had met him twice and was able to hold him just a few times before leaving the country. “I remember thinking why am I here my parents don’t deserve to be worried sick about me being over here and not being able to have any contact with me. I thought that I should be home with my newborn son as he doesn’t deserve this,” Smith said. Smith said then he reminded himself about 9/11, and how so many lives were affected by that day. “Thinking about those innocent victims and all of the families that were forever changed and about the actual attack on the U.S., this was my motivation in getting through the deployment,” Smith said. Smith returned home November 2003. He said because of 9/11 he wanted a law enforcement career and wanted to continue to serve his country and community. He began his police career as a reserve officer in Syracuse in 2005, which eventually turned into a full time job at Syracuse in 2007 and then Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department in 2011. Smith said 9/11 has taught him to not take life for granted. “I make it a point to try and cherish every day I have on Earth with my family because I know I am living on borrowed time and simply put tomorrow just isn’t promised,” Smith said. Ken Locke, 9/11 committee member, ended the service with a prayer and encouraged attendees to pray for local law enforcement and emergency services personnel.
