PHOTOS/VIDEO: Lander, Riverton mark 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks with memorial service, parade

(Fremont County, WY) – 25 years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, communities across the country paid tribute to the lives that were taken on that day, and to all of the responders and Veterans whose lives were also affected by the tragedies that unfolded. The local 2026 memorials truly embodied the saying popularized after the attack: “Never forget.”

Lander marked the occasion by continuing with its annual memorial service at the Lander Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall (click here to listen to the history of the event from organizer Bruce Gallinger).

House District 54 Representative Lloyd Larsen acted as the MC for the Lander memorial, which also featured a helicopter flyover from Guardian Flight and Classic Air Medical, Lander Mayor Missy White and City Council member Chad Cassady as guest speakers, opening and closing prayers from Lori Crump, a letter from Senator Barrasso read by LVHS student Addision Gantz, and musical performances by the Lander Valley High School Valley Singers (led by Susan Vollbrecht) and the Gannett Peak 3rd graders (led by Brooks Whitmore).

As in years past, the ceremony began with a live page that summoned the local fire/police departments and emergency responders to the memorial site, simulating the responders’ call to action on September 11, 2001. This was followed by a musical intro from the Lander Pipe Band, which formed in direct response to the 2001 attacks. (Click here to listen for more information on the origins of the Pipe Band.)

“There’s so much about 9/11 that was horrible, and yet it also showed how many heroes there were,” Mayor White stated during her opening speech. “Dozens… of firefighters ran towards burning buildings… as they faltered and collapsed. That’s a special kind of hero whose job it is to run towards danger, to work in challenging, stressful situations where they themselves might get hurt or even killed in the process. A number of these kinds of heroes are here with us today: firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, life-flight pilots, military veterans, active military, people who perform search and rescue.”

Mayor White then asked the children in attendance, comprised of 3rd- and 5th-grade classes from Baldwin Creek and Gannett Peak elementary schools and a few LVHS students, to take a look at the men and the women in uniforms who were at the memorial, and really think about the sacrifices they make to keep our community safe.

Lander Council member Chad Cassady, a U.S. Marine who served for two decades and deployed worldwide across the Middle East and into combat theaters on numerous occasions, was the next speaker, and offered a sobering reminder the events that transpired on that say in September in 2001.

“On that morning, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, 19 men changed our lives forever. A change so impactful that we carry the scars of it even today,” Cassady explained. “25 years ago in Washington, and New York, and in Pennsylvania, far too many mothers and fathers and daughters and sons tragically lost their lives. At the World Trade Center, 2,753 Americans were killed. At the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, 184 lives were lost. On board Flight 93, all 40 passengers and crew were lost. In all, 6,000 more Americans were gravely injured in the attacks on September 11, and untold numbers in the decades that followed. As we look back on the loss we experienced on that day, I would ask you to also take a moment to reflect on the growth, and most importantly, the healing, which is the blessing which follows chaos.”

Cassady then stressed how that healing and growth brought many people together, despite the tragedy.

“Reflecting on that day, and on the decades which followed, I believe that the values which we have in common are so much deeper and stronger than those ideas which divide us, and lastly, I continue and will always believe that these two blessings are not the norm. They’re not the norm. They are unique. They’re worth protecting, and as I said last year, and I still believe it through our own actions, these are the gifts that we give our children who are here with us today.”

During the memorial, two moments flew under the radar and exemplified responders’ continued willingness to help those in need, much like on September 11, 2001.

Attendee Lindsey Mowrey described those two moments in a Facebook post.

“There were a couple of moments during the ceremony that I’m not sure many people even noticed. They weren’t big or dramatic, but they were the kind of moments that say a lot about the people standing beside us. One of our Patriot Guard members, who was holding a flag during the ceremony, began to feel ill. One of our paramedics (Robert Kenney) who was attending the ceremony immediately and quietly stepped in to care for him while trying not to draw attention away from the ceremony.

At the same time, our Jail Sergeant (Christine Davey) stepped forward, took the flag, and stood with the rest of the Patriot Guard members for the remainder of the ceremony. (Mrs. Hudson also quickly stood up and offered assistance as well. We have pretty great teachers in our town!)

Later, while the third graders were standing in front of everyone singing, one little girl was just sobbing. Her teacher went over and tried to comfort her, but she was still struggling. Without hesitation, our Lander Police Chief (Kelly Waugh) quietly walked over, slipped in between the students, took her hand, and sang along with the children. That’s all she needed to stop crying.”

The memorial then concluded with a rifle salute and a performance of “Taps” from the American Legion Lander Post.

Riverton also upheld its 9/11 memorial tradition with the annual memorial parade.

Each year, parade participants adorn their vehicles with patriotic gear before driving down Main Street and then past some of the local schools. Participants gathered at Sutherland’s early Friday morning, the starting point for the parade, where they played patriotic music and local EMS professional Carol Harper sang the National Anthem.

You can watch the parade in full below.

Later that night, the Riverton Elks Lodge Post 1693 hosted a “Community Heroes Dinner” for all first responders, EMT’s, Law Enforcement, Dispatchers, Veterans, Active Military, and Healthcare Workers.

“The Lodge provided dinner for our local first responders and community heroes as a way to thank them for their service and dedication to our community,” Shawna Plouffe shared with County 10. “Aleix Plouffe, Exalted Ruler of Riverton Elks Lodge #1693, helped deliver meals to local first responders.”

“We were honored to recognize and thank the people who serve and protect our community every day.”