Vancouver Marks 25 Years Since 9/11 at Waterfront Salute

0:00This story was written by Paul Valencia with Clark County today.com. Military jets roared over the crowd down below a fireboat gave a water salute from the Columbia river. Doves were released from a restored PT boat. This was all part of the 9-11 Patriot Day salute on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The event held at the Vancouver Waterfront was presented by the Community Military Appreciation and the City of Vancouver. Congresswoman Marie Glucin-Camperez, Vancouver Mayor and McKennerney Ogold, Vancouver Fire Chief John Drake, and Vancouver Police Chief Troy Price, all made comments. The keynote speaker was Colonel Joshua Havanaugh's Commander of the 142nd Operations Group, 142nd Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base. Glucin-Camperez recalled the fear she experienced that day 25 years ago. It's one of the first times I experienced that someone, somewhere else, who you've never met, can hate you, can want to hurt you, she said. She also was moved by one of her teachers, who calmed her and her classmates with powerful

1:01words of comfort and protection. In fact, it was America's response, with first responders rushing to the scenes of the attacks, and later, neighbors helping neighbors that inspired her. It's a profound privilege to call ourselves Americans, to choose that fraternity, that brotherhood, that sisterhood, above these divisions that are so often forced on us. She said, God bless the USA. McKennerney Ogold said Vancouver is proud to be part of the ceremony. Today we gather in remembrance. We also gather in gratitude for the lives of service, for the acts of courage, and for the enduring strength of the American spirit. She noted that this city is full of people who remind her every day of what it means to be an American. Firefighters and police officers answering the call, teachers, veterans, and more. I see a community that knows how to show up. McKennerney Ogold said, people don't ask first what's in it for me. They ask what can I do? That is the spirit of this city. The fire chief agreed, for those who wear this uniform. Today, September 11th is a perpetual reminder that our profession is about more, much more than responding to emergencies. Drake said,

2:05it's about the privilege of serving all of you and our community. Price talked about all the different kinds of Americans, and no matter the differences, you're part of the heartbeat of what makes this nation great. He said, Price also addressed the terrorists, noting that they did make a difference in the lives of Americans. You caused us a lot of pain, but you woke us up. You showed us that our way is better, that freedom and security should never be taken for granted, and that this nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, will outlast, will outperform, will defend, will protect, and will not relinquish its principles. This is the United States of America. Havana was in New York City the day of the attacks. He shared his experience there. That image has stayed with me for 25 years. It showed me that service means moving toward danger when your country needs you the most," Havana said. It also strengthened my resolve to do my part to defend the nation from those who would do it harm. A final alarm was sounded for those who lost their lives that day, as doves were released from KT Boats 658, one of the few World War II PT Boats that are operational today.

3:08Taps was performed by a bugular just after a rifle salute.