TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — As memorials and ceremonies across the country honor the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001, Terre Haute also help remember them as well.
Tim Shott, Captain of the Thunderbird Fire Protection Territory, went to ground zero to help after the Sept. 11 attacks to provide assistance. He says the overwhelming support from around the country was something he’ll never forget.
“That type of response both federal, state, local,” Captain Shott said. “Whether volunteer or career at that point and time was a huge thing out of anything I’ve ever experienced.”
Many people across the valley paid their raid their respects to the almost 3,000 people who lost their lives on 9/11. The Terre haute Fire Department honored the 343 firefighters who lost their lives while protecting and providing safety by discussing their bravery and hearing words from people at ground zero.
“All those men and women, they had a job to do, Terre Haute Fire Department chief Bill Berry said. “They did it. A lot of them lost their lives doing it but many lives were saved doing it.”
It’s a day neither of the, say they’ll forget, and Chief Berry says it’s important to make sure the younger generations are taught about what this day really means in America.
“The younger generation really doesn’t understand what it was like but it’s something we need to teach,” Chief Berry said. “We need to teach our youngsters exactly what we went through and obviously we have no idea what those firefighters and rescue workers went through but we know it wasn’t pretty.”
The Wabash Valley Road Runners also did their part to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Over 150 runners ran different distances such as a 2.977 mile race and a 9.11 race to honor the 2,977 lives lost.
“It was an act of terror on this country and it wasn’t just against New York,” Mark Auchenbach race coordinator Mark Auchenbach said. Against the state of New York or the city. It was against our country and against each individual. I don’t want people to forget what happened on 9/11.”
City leaders including Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett say this was a time in history they will never forget.
