For the week of September 18 - 24, 2002

Valley commemorates the first anniversary of Sept. 11

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Beginning early in the morning Wednesday with the ringing of bells, names were read and tears were shed for the friends, families and strangers who were lost or affected by the terrorist attacks Sept 11, 2001, on the East Coast.

Members of Blaine County’s law enforcement and firefighting agencies and emergency medical services salute the flag at a ceremony in the Forest Service Park in Ketchum Wednesday night. Express photo by David N. Seelig

More than 2,800 lives were lost that day to a cause none but the 19 skyjackers of four commercial airliners knew about.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sun Valley held a somber, morning-long recitation of the names of the victims lost in the attacks on New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and in the skies over southwestern Pennsylvania.

After all the names of the fallen emergency personnel who died last year in the terrorist attacks on the East Coast were read at the Forest Service Park memorial service, Dick Brown conducts the Caritas Chorale singing "America the Beautiful." Express photo by David N. Seelig

Later that evening the church had an interfaith service, which included readings by Suzy Thompson of the Tibetan Buddhist Community, Rabbi Martin Levy of the Wood River Jewish Community, the Rev. Bob Henley of the Presbyterian Church of the Bigwood, and the Rev. John Moreland of the Light on the Mountain Church.

A Wood River Valley resident and Muslim, Mohamed Milad, also spoke movingly about his religion's beliefs and intoned Islamic prayers.

Dick Brown directed the Caritas Chorale and the St. Thomas Choir.

Hailey Elementary School children and teachers applaud as a special tree is planted by Luis Jaures and Ernesto Estrada at a dedication ceremony commemorating Sept. 11, 2001, at the school. Express photo by David N. Seelig

A ceremony sponsored by the Ketchum and Sun Valley Fire Departments for the valley’s firefighters, emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officers was held in the Forest Service Park at sunset. Emergency services personnel read the names of all the emergency workers who died in line of duty Sept. 11, 2001.

The Rev. Brian Baker of St. Thomas Episcopal Church opened the ceremony with an invocation and the Rev. Wendy Collins gave the benediction after Connor Wade, a Community School sophomore, played taps.

Finishing off the ceremony was a gorgeous rendition of "America the Beautiful" by the Caritas Chorale, conducted by Dick Brown.

Melisi Mollet Binnie of the Ketchum Fire Department, Angie Grant of Wood River Fire and Rescue, Bill Rickard of the Ketchum Fire Department and Mike Huntman of Wood River Fire and Rescue enjoy the atmosphere on the deck at The Roosevelt Tavern in Ketchum. A party Wednesday evening in honor of all the emergency personnel of the Wood River Valley was held following the memorial ceremony at the Forest Service Park. Express photo by David N. Seelig

After the ceremony, a reception honoring the emergency services personnel of the valley was held at the Roosevelt Tavern in Ketchum. All firefighters, police and paramedics were hosted free of charge by the restaurant.

Wood River High School student Robin Kearns, 17, shows her colors at the Homecoming barbecue at the Hailey school last Wednesday. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Earlier in the day trees were planted at dedications at the Wood River Middle School and Hailey Elementary School. Personnel from various emergency departments in the valley attended the latter.

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"Though nothing will bring back the hour

"Of splendor in the grass,

of glory in the flower;

"We will grieve not, rather find

"Strength in what remains behind."

— William Wordsworth

 

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