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Friday, September 12, 2008

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9/11 shares focus with military at Legion memorial ceremony

By JODIE TWEED

Staff Writer

They gathered together Thursday at the Brainerd American Legion to remember those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

But those who spoke at the seventh annual 9/11 memorial ceremony also paid tribute to the men and women in the military who continue to fight terrorism and the emergency personnel, including those in the Brainerd lakes area, who give selflessly of their time and talents to serve others.

Pastor Andy Smith of First Lutheran Church provided the opening and closing prayers while Cal White, a member of the Brainerd American Legion Post 255, served as master of ceremonies. Guest speakers included Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson; Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley; Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd; Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl; Dr. Roger Macy, Brainerd Medical Center; Kevin Lee, Brainerd Ambulance; and Brainerd Fire Chief Fred Underhill. Brainerd Mayor James Wallin was ill and unable to attend, said White.

Dr. Roger Macy, a physician from Brainerd Medical Center, spoke from a medical perspective about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks during Thursday's seventh annual memorial service at the Brainerd American Legion. Other speakers at the ceremony included Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl (left); Brainerd American Legion member Cal White, who served as master of ceremonies; Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd; and Pastor Andy Smith of First Lutheran Church. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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The Brainerd Legion Post 255 and Brainerd VFW color guards performed a 21-gun salute outside the Legion in the rain. The Brainerd Legion auxiliary provided refreshments for the ceremony.

Olson expressed his gratitude for area emergency personnel and First Responders who serve our community.

"We thank you for what you do," said Olson. "You are our heroes."

Ward said Sept. 11, 2001, was "a day that changed all of our lives. We need to reflect on the amount of giving that went on that day. We saw so many people who sacrificed their lives."

Bolduc read a list of the law enforcement agencies that lost officers on that day.

"I will not dishonor the sacrifices these officers made by forgetting them," said Bolduc.

Dahl told the crowd that it was a true test of courage to run into the collapsing World Trade Center towers. He reflected on those who lost their lives and those who continue to suffer because of those terrorist attacks and to those who are still fighting for our freedoms.

Macy gave a medical perspective of those who continue to suffer from the terrorist attacks, including emergency personnel who now battle respiratory illnesses after they inhaled toxic dust at the scene.

He said firefighters who inhaled air at Ground Zero have lost an average of 12 years off their lives and of the 10,000 people exposed to that dust, 70 percent have respiratory problems.

"Let us not forget the victims and those still suffering from the attacks," said Macy.

Lee honored the 41 EMS workers who died while responding to the World Trade Center attacks. Underhill honored the firefighters and all those emergency personnel who lost their lives that day. Underhill said Sept. 11th should serve as a reminder of the freedoms that Americans have and what happened that day should not be forgotten.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.

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