Honoring the Fallen

Quint 104 Firetruck

Raising Flag to Half Staff

Flag Display Along South Main Street

Ten years ago yesterday, several thousand Americans perished when the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York collapsed. Others died when a hijacked airliner struck the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and others still, died when their aircraft crashed into a Pennsylvania field. Among the fallen were 343 firefighters who died as they were trying to save lives in the Twin Towers as those structures came tumbling down around them.

Those 343 were honored by their comrades in Lamar and Prowers County on Sunday morning. Ceremonies were held by the Lamar Fire and Ambulance Department, the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department and the Prowers County Rural Fire Department at the municipal complex. Just before the ceremonies, the American Flag was attached to the extended ladder of Quint 104, the ladder truck from Virginia that saw service at the Pentagon on 9/11. The city of Lamar acquired the truck several years ago. Two other firefighters set another American Flag at half staff just outside the fire department bay doors.

Lamar Fire Chief Marshall Cook addressed the morning gathering, stating that on average, 100 firefighters lost their lives in the service of their neighbors each year, but on this particular morning ten years ago, an additional 343 also made the ultimate sacrifice. Their names were read by ten local firefighters from the various departments, while afterward, a bell was rung 25 times. Five rings in a group of five to signify their passing, 25 rings to signify the end of the mission.

Lamar Mayor Roger Stagner and Prowers County Commissioner Henry Schnabel also addressed the assembly, speaking in remembrance of those who had fallen, and of the resilience of all Americans, including those who continue to safeguard our safety while serving in foreign lands.

Shane Dashner concluded the Sunday observance with an invitation to all area residents to bring their American flag with them to the municipal complex, as volunteers from the local cub and boy scouts would line South Main Street between 1 and 2pm, displaying the flag to all who passed by. Dashner explained that he and Greg Ludwig decided that on this day, instead of lining the streets with flags displayed in their poles before various downtown businesses, volunteers would be invited to form a living honor guard for one hour this past Sunday afternoon.  Dashner estimated from 110 to 120 turned out to present their flags.

by Russ Baldwin