Salish Kootenai College remembers 9/11

By Lailani Upham

The Warriors Society color guard and crowd stand silently to honor the fallen Americans from the tragic September 11, 2001 attack. (Lailani Upham photo)

PABLO — Eight years ago on an unassuming late summer morning, news trickled in that an airplane had slammed into the World Trade Center. While black smoke poured into the sky, news organizations and curious onlookers puzzled as to how this could have happened as police and firefighters rushed to put out the ensuing blaze and rescue those trapped above the fire.

Twenty minutes later, another plane would fly into the second tower and give no doubt that the nation of the United States of America was under attack. The world stood still in terror as the symbols of American capitalism collapsed into monstrous plumes of dust and debris, one right after another.

Peoples from around the globe crowded around their televisions and radios as the horrifying news came in that four hijacked jet planes had been used as weapons. As the sun set, the World Trade Center lay in ruin, the Pentagon burned and innocent lives were lost in a last ditch effort to stop the terrorists as they dove the plane into a field in Pennsylvania.

On that day, nearly 3000 lives were lost and the world would never be the same from then on.

The day of September 11, 2001 is forever etched into our memories, reminding us of that dreadful feeling of vulnerability and, subsequently, our desire to stand together and show our resolve as one nation.

In April, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act that officially recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. It is a day for Americans to come together in a spirit of unity and compassion.

Last Friday morning, a handful of 50 folks showed up at the SKC Joe McDonald Fitness Center parking lot to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 attack.

The event at SKC was part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance organized by the Montana Campus Corps.

SKC Vice President of Business Affairs Lon Whitaker points the importance of gathering and remembering 9/11. (Lailani Upham photo)

The MTCC is an organization that supports civic engagement through community service and volunteerism through higher education.

Joni Bolman, a student and SKC campus corps team leader organized the event with little time to spare but pulled it all together on Friday morning.

Three members of the Flathead Warriors Society quietly opened the remembrance with a flag presentation as a cool breeze brushed the small crowd.

SKC president Joe McDonald greeted and thanked the small group for coming out and recognizing the fallen heroes and victims.

The event followed with folks having the opportunity to share their own stories of the tragic day. Bolman urged folks to come forth during the open mic to share what was on their hearts. Polson Fire Department Lieutenant Steve McCoy recalled the day when he was a rookie fireman and seeing a fire usually indicated excitement but within a split moment the excitement turned to sad shocking devastation that went along with the rest of the country.

The crowd release and watch balloons float away quickly then make a gradual turn south toward Ronan. Each balloon carried special messages from individuals in remembrance of 911 victims and survivors. (Lailani Upham photo)

Eight years later, September 11 continues to evoke strong emotion and The Montana's Governor's Office of Community Service is urging all Montanan's to honor the heroes from that day and remember those who continue to serve and protect our country by pledging hours of community service.

As of September 14, there were 1100 hours of service pledged by Montana residents.

To make a pledge to service go to www.serve.mt.gov.

Sam Sandoval contributed to this report.