Mahaska Community Remembers 9/11- A Decade Later
The flag that flew over Ground Zero by Musco is flying once again for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
Oskaloosa, Ia. – Sunday will be a day of reflection for a nation. The Mahaska Community will commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with a memorial service at 1 p.m., Sept. 11 at the bandstand in downtown Oskaloosa.
The memorial will feature 2,977 flags commemorating each life lost, photos, and a flag that was flown during rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. The flag memorial is being assembled by the Oskaloosa High School Student Council and can be viewed beginning the evening of Sept. 9 through 5 p.m. Sept. 11.
Diane Crookham-Johnson, who worked with the Musco Mobile crews in their rescue and recovery efforts at the three locations of attacks, will emcee the memorial service and will offer personal reflections on 9/11.
“As we watched the events of 9/11, the pictures on television told one story, but the reality was unacceptable. Unbelievable,” said Crookham. “As Americans, most of us tried to find a way to help. September 11, 2001 started out as a day like any other. It turned out to be a day that would change us like no other.”
State representative and retired Marine Brigadier General Guy Vander Linden will also speak as part of program. “We shall never forget the dark moments that took the lives of thousands of Americans on September 11th and changed the lives of the rest of us forever. This year, the tenth anniversary of that terrible day, will bring communities across the nation together to honor those who perished and those whose brave rescue efforts we will always remember,” said Vander Linden.
Vander Linden served as a Presidential Helicopter Command Pilot during the Reagan Presidency and was also command of a Marine Helicopter Squadron in the Gulf War.
The colors will be presented by area National Guard, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. They will be followed by area police and fire department representatives. Stefan Barner and the Oskaloosa High School Choir will also perform.
“We hope the memorial service will be a time to reflect on the events of 9/11,” said Oskaloosa Chamber Events Director Karen Hafner. “It is a time to honor those who lost their lives that day, those who offered help in the days following and those who continue to fight for our freedom as Americans.”
