Military jets roared over the crowd.
Down below, a fire boat gave a water salute from the Columbia River.
Doves were released from a restored PT Boat.
This was all part of the 9/11 Patriot Day Salute on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The event, held at the Vancouver Waterfront, was presented by the Community Military Appreciation Committee and the city of Vancouver.
Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Vancouver Fire Chief John Drake, and Vancouver Police Chief Troy Price all made comments. The keynote speaker was Col. Joshua Hovanas, commander of the 142nd Operations Group, 142nd Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base.
Gluesenkamp Perez recalled the fear she experienced that day 25 years ago.
“It’s one of the first times I experienced that someone, somewhere else, who you’ve never met, can hate you, can want to hurt you,” she said.
She also was moved by one of her teachers, who calmed her and her classmates with powerful words of comfort and protection.
In fact, it was America’s response — with first responders rushing to the scenes of the attacks, and later, neighbors helping neighbors — that inspired her..
“It’s a profound privilege to call ourselves Americans, to choose that fraternity, that brotherhood, that sisterhood, above these divisions that are so often forced on us,” she said. “God bless the USA.”
McEnerny-Ogle said Vancouver is proud to be part of the ceremony.
“Today, we gather in remembrance. We also gather in gratitude … for the lives of service, for the acts of courage, and for the enduring strength of the American spirit.”
She noted that this city is full of people who remind her every day of what it means to be an American. Firefighters and police officers answering the call. Teachers. Veterans. And more.
“I see a community that knows how to show up,” McEnerny-Ogle said. “People don’t ask first, ‘What’s in it for me?’ They ask, ‘What can I do?’ That is the spirit of this city.”
The fire chief agreed.
“For those who wear this uniform, today, Sept. 11, is a perpetual reminder that our profession is about more, much more, than responding to emergencies,” Drake said. “It’s about the privilege of serving all of you and our community.”
Price talked about all the different kinds of Americans.
And no matter the differences … “you’re part of the heartbeat of what makes this nation great,” he said.
Price also addressed the terrorists, noting that they did make a difference in the lives of Americans.
“You caused us a lot of pain, but you woke us up. You showed us that our way is better, that freedom and security should never be taken for granted, and that this nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, will outlast, will outperform, will defend, will protect, and will not relinquish its principles. … This is the United States of America.”
Hovanas was in New York City the day of the attacks. He shared his experience there.
“That image has stayed with me for 25 years. It showed me that service means moving toward danger when your country needs you the most,” Hovanas said. “It also strengthened my resolve to do my part to defend the nation from those who would do it harm.”
A final alarm was sounded for those who lost their lives that day, as doves were released from PT Boat 658, one of the few World War II PT Boats that are operational today.
Taps was performed by a bugler just after a rifle salute.
