Southeast Iowa Regional Fire Honor Guard honors lives lost on September 11

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (KWQC) – A number of Quad Metropolis Space occasions over the weekend honoring the lives misplaced on a somber day in American historical past, 21 years in the past.

Commander of the Southeast Iowa Regional Fireplace Honor Guard, Doc Patterson mentioned Patriot Day ceremonies carry the legacy of the practically 3,000 lives misplaced on September 11, 2001

“Our society and our tradition has modified,” Patterson mentioned. “Now we’ve got to proceed on with the traditions however proceed to steer with a imaginative and prescient. And that’s what today means to us.”

On the ceremony, the dignity guard held a procession, adopted by some remarks by Patterson to recollect the over 400 first responders misplaced on 9/11

Despite the fact that the dignity guard’s Pipe Main and Deputy Commander, John Grunwald, was 1000’s of miles away, he mentioned the aftermath is one thing he’ll always remember.

“The patriotism that got here from that … unity with the usa was, was simply so overwhelming,” Grunwald mentioned. “It at all times hits me proper within the feels, and it will get very emotional.”

Through the ceremony, two grandchildren of fallen Libertyville firefighter Brian Sandstrom had been made honorary members of the guard.

Patterson mentioned a part of the dignity guard’s duty is to teach the following generations about their traditions.

“We acknowledge them as being a part of our staff,” Patterson mentioned. “It’s not changing the fallen firefighter that they misplaced of their household, it’s exhibiting help to our survivors.”

Honor guard Well being Inspector Coordinator Sharon Menke mentioned she helps out as a lot as potential due to the brother and sisterhood first responders have collectively

“Someone has to hold the torch,” Menke mentioned. “Someone has to convey it again to mild to everyone that we have to keep centered. We have to honor the people who gave their lives for us.”

Different QC organizations holding occasions this weekend included the Burlington Fireplace Division and the Rock Island Arsenal.

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