(Fremont County, WY) – In remembering the lives lost and those who served during and after the tragedies of September 11, 2001, Riverton held its 24th annual Parade on Main Street today, and Lander held its 5th annual memorial service at the fire station.American Legion Chaplain Lori Crump read a prayer to those gathered behind the fire station in Lander on Thursday. Around 200 locals gathered, including a group of students from Gannett Peak and Baldwin Creek Elementary schools, to remember the lives lost in the terrorist attacks 24 years ago. h/t Carl CoteA motorcycle rider made his way down Main Street in Riverton with American flags attached to his bike. h/t Carl Cote
First responders, including Riverton Fire, Police, and EMTs, began the parade driving westward past the schools before turning around to come back eastward down Main during their return. The parade began the year after the attacks on September 11th and used to go all of the way from Riverton to Lander, but eventually was kept to just Riverton for logistical reasons.A truck towing a trailer with flags and a group of women cruised down Main Street during the 9/11 parade Thursday. h/t Carl Cote
“The parade is about everybody we lost and then all of the first responders, the fire departments and the EMTs, who also put their lives in danger,” said parade organizer Tony Luoma. “It’s also about the service members whose lives were affected afterwards, because we had to respond.”Motorcycles towed the rear of the parade as they completed their second lap down Main Street Thursday for the September 11th parade. h/t Carl Cote
In Lander, about 200 gathered next to the volunteer firehouse to hear remarks from Representative Lloyd Larsen, Mayor Missy White, and Councilman and Marine Corps veteran Chad Cassady.City councilman Chad Cassady spoke to the 9/11 crowd about having served in the Marines on September 11th and his tours in the Middle East in the years after. “We are blessed that in times of uncertainty we can rely on each other,” said Cassady. “What we have in common is so much stronger than the things that divide us.” h/t Carl Cote
Classes from Gannett Peak and Baldwin Creek Elementary schools were joined by teachers and staff to hear about the importance of remembering 9/11 from speakers who were old enough to have experienced the day.Gannett Peak counselor Annalissa Purdum gave a student a hug after the September 11th ceremony Thursday in Lander. h/t Carl Cote
The Lander Pipe Band provided music along with the LVHS choir throughout the memorial service.A bagpiper focused on Bobby Johnston as he kicked off the band’s rendition of Amazing Grace on Thursday in Lander. h/t Carl CoteState Representative Lloyd Larsen hosted and addressed the group of Lander elementary school children gathered. “It stirs your soul a little bit,” said Larsen after the memorial service. “To remember the events that remind us of the freedoms that we enjoy, and how fragile they can be.” h/t Carl Cote
State Senator Larsen told the students about significant American events he recalls more than any others. “The first event was the assassination of John F. Kennedy,” said Larsen. “The second was when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon… and the third was September 11th.”
Advertisement - Content Continues Below
A group of Gannett Elementary students attended the ceremony behind the fire house in Lander Thursday. h/t Carl Cote
Asked about the importance of remembering 9/11, Larsen said, “It stirs your soul a little bit… to remember the events that remind us of the freedoms we enjoy and how fragile they can be.”Eirwen Barney read a letter aloud from Wyoming’s US Representative Harriet Hageman on Thursday at the 9/11 memorial. h/t Carl CoteLander senior Matthew Stong read a letter from US Senator John Barrasso Thursday in Lander. h/t Carl Cote
H/T Carl Cote County 10
Like this article? Help us do more!
Free news isn't really free. So, if you valued the content you just read, consider a small "thank you" gift to help us provide more!
