Waukegan remembers a time of sadness
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com September 11, 2011 8:26PM
The Waukegan Police and Fire Departments host a 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony at Fireman's Park. | Jeff Krage~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 9, 2011 1:13PM
Twin Towers began to collapse at 9:28 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001. In recognition, Waukegan Fire Department started its Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at 9:28 a.m. on Sunday at Fireman’s Memorial Park.
Mayor Robert Sabonjian called the Sept. 11 attack the “greatest criminal event in the history of the United States.”
“As long as their (Sept. 11 victims) names are read, their memory shall resonate in the history of the United States,” Sabonjian said. “I know their families in New York City probably don’t know we’re here today, but I’m sure they somehow feel the love and the sadness we send them.”
More than 50 people attended the ceremony, which was the biggest turnout since the Waukegan Fire Department started holding the ceremony 10 years ago, according to Waukegan Fire Chief Dan Young.
Young attempted to define patriotism during his remarks, starting with a dictionary definition of love of country.
“Patriotism cannot be described with words. It’s an idea, it’s a feeling,” Young said. “Remembering the lives of those brave ... Americans who lost their lives is patriotism. Coming together in a time of need is patriotism.”
As time passes, people tend to forget what happened, Waukegan Police Chief Daniel Greathouse said.
“We must realize there are millions of people praising these criminal terrorists who brought the greatest nation to its knees. We let our guard down and we were sucker-punched,” Greathouse said.
In the aftermath of the attack, Greathouse said Americans set aside their difference and came together as a nation.
“Our enemies are constantly plotting, waiting for us to drop our guard. In honor of our fallen heroes, please let us never forget the sting of that punch and always keep our guard up,” Greathouse said.
Jim and Paulette Lyons of Gurnee, formerly of Waukegan for 32 years, said they still remember the Sept. 11 attack as clearly as yesterday.
Jim was working in Chicago, one block away from the Sears Tower. Once word of the two plane attacks on the Twin Towers came in, everyone was evacuated from the area, he recalled. He was concerned Chicago would be the next target.
“It’s something not enough people take the time to remember,” Jim said.
He and his wife said that was one of the reasons they attended the ceremony.
“I think it’s such a significant day in history of America that we (Jim and I) would seek a formal ceremony to commemorate the day. This is a wonderful opportunity with all the representation from the community present,” Paulette said.
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