WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake resident Rita Gesaman spent this morning remembering the lives of her former co-workers who died during the Sept. 11 attacks six years ago.
Gesaman, who has lived in Winona Lake since 2005, joined with other Winona Lake residents and town leaders to remember lives lost during the attacks.
A Sept. 11 ceremony was held at the Heritage Trail Greenway art site next to the Winona Lake Senior Center. The Kosciusko County Honor Guard participated in the event.
Ed Rock, Kosciusko County emergency management director, sang "God Bless The USA," and Winona Lake Town Council member Jerry Clevenger spoke.
Gesaman retired in May 2005 after working as a flight attendant with American Airlines, based in Washington, D.C., for 37 years.
There were six of her former employees who worked for the airline who were killed Sept. 11, 2001, during the terrorist attacks. She said there were four flight attendants and two cockpit personnel from the airline where she worked who were killed.
"They, as well as their families, are always with me in my thoughts and prayers, and today is a special day to reflect on the military who allow us to have freedom to live our daily lives," Gesaman said.
Gesaman attended the ceremony in Winona Lake with her sister, Sigrid Broderick, who lives in Columbia City.
Gesaman donated a commemorative bench in honor and in memory of those who lost their lives during Sept. 11.
The bench represents the theme of peace and has a plaque stating "We Will Never Forget - God Bless America." The bench is in Winona Lake Park by the Winona Lake Senior Center.
Chicago artists Linda Doyle and Nadine Royster attended the ceremony, and presented their artwork that was a sundial made of handmade ceramic tile pieces and mosaic representing components of peace in commemoration of Sept. 11.
Each tile is a representation section in creating peace and illustrating peace throughout history.
