Governor pays tribute to 9/11 victims

Thursday, September 12, 2013
Loretta George/Tribune photo Governor Sam Brownback speaks to a crowd at the 9/11 Remembrance Service Wednesday at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. He was the guest speaker at the Symbols of Sacrifice commemoration. The Field of Honor is open daily until 3 p.m. Sunday.

Many spoke, some cried and all remembered Sept.11, 2001 Wednesday at the Remembrance Service at Fort Scott National Historic Site. A large crowd filled the chairs with overflow into the shade of the trees on the Fort's grounds. They came to remember that day, 12 years ago when America was attacked on its own soil. They came to remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

There was a color guard from the Fort Scott Knights of Columbus, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

Seven speakers reminded the crowd of reasons to remember that historical day.

Along with Gov. Sam Brownback, speakers were Betty Boyko, superintendent of the FSNHS, Fort Scott Mayor Cindy Bartlesmeyer, Symbols of Sacrifice Committee member Jim Scott, Bourbon County Commissioner Harold Coleman, Kansas District 4 Rep. Marty Read, and Kansas District 13 Senator Jacob LaTurner, Kansas Senator, District 13.

When Scott, a Vietnam veteran, spoke, he told the crowd that Symbols of Sacrifice will be an annual event, to which the crowd applauded. He also told them that all the flags for the commemoration were made in America, and again the crowd applauded.

"There's an urgency in letting the veterans and Gold Star Mothers know now," Scott said. "This is a token way of saying thank you and 'I will never forget.'"

Gold Star Mothers are those who have lost a son or daughter in military service.

Some speakers recounted the heroic actions of the first responders at the Twin Towers in New York City that rushed back in to rescue people. Some talked of the courage of the passengers of the plane that eventually nose-dived into a field in Shanksburg, Pa.

"There were great acts of courage and great acts of faith," Brownback said.

As a result of that day "individuals signed up for the military and lost their lives," he said.

"I was thinking of one man from Uniontown, Kansas, who lost his life," Brownback said. "He told his mom, 'I'd rather die for a cause than from a cause.'"

It's that kind of attitude that built this nation, he said.

"A great nation doesn't just happen, it has to be continually rebuilt...each and every day with such sacrifices," he said.

Brownback reminded the crowd that on that fateful day in 2001, a group of congressmen gathered on the steps of the Capital building.

"The nation was stunned," Brownback said. "We didn't know what had happened. We started singing God Bless America."

He then asked the Fort Scott Middle School Boys Choraliers to lead the attendees in singing that song.

A moment of silence for those who died followed the singing.

The ceremony ended with a gun salute by the VFW Post 1165 Honor Guard and the playing of Taps by Jerry Witt.