9/11 Ceremony filled with remembrance and emotion

In a darkened room nearly 350 people sat silently with eyes forward, as a little girl narrates a video to her father. She tells him of how she knows he is in heaven, looking down at her as she tells him of her favorite meal. Her dialogue is very candid; however, in the next few frames, she sounds slightly older and her message to him is more serious. She misses him and does not understand why he was taken away. By the end of the video, the girl is much older and the pain in her voice is overwhelming as she professes her love for him and how much she has missed him in her life.

She had lost her father in the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney

This thought provoking video was shown today during the 10th Anniversary 9/11 Tribute hosted by Chief Gary Dizney and the Adrian Fire Department. The tribute opened with a silent procession of fire, police and other emergency vehicles down Main street to the Adrian Optimist building where a large American flag flew high from the Harrisonville Fire ladder truck. While fire trucks and police cars filed into the parking lot, the LifeFlight helicopter sat down on landing pad on the northeast corner of the Optimist building property.

Once inside, the ceremony began with posting of the flags by the Butler Color Guard, a beautiful acapella National Anthem by Faith Hutchens and  prayer by Adrian fire department Chaplain, Jerry Bearce. Dave Ullery then explained the proper steps of folding an American Flag, giving the meaning behind each of the 13 folds.

With many veterans present at today's tribute, Brian Miller took the stage and spoke of his time spent in Vietnam and emphasized just how much our war veterans have done to protect our freedom. Following his words, Adrian fireman Doug Davis and family sung a tribute to each branch of the service, while the veterans stood in recognition.

Mark Lopez

Featured speaker was Mark Lopez, Garden City Mo. Fire Chief. Lopez delivered a message of patriotism and what it means to be a patriot. Of all the tragedy of 9/11, he said, was that America had a renewed sense of patriotism and that is what helps us move forward.

Once again, the hall darkened and a video was shown highlighting our local firefighters working various fires and accidents to the tune of He ain't Heavy, He's My Brother by the Hollies. Chief Dizney and assistant Chief Brian Dizney shook hands and thanked the many emergency services personnel seated in the audience during the video.

As the lights came back up, Adrian Mayor Larry Ritter took a few moments and recognized Fire Chief Jim Garrett, who died while fighting a fire that destroyed the Haas building in Adrian in 1977.

An additional thank you went to Margaret Wolford and Dorothy Wolford for their donation of the beautiful 9/11 Twin Towers quilt donated to the Adrian Fire Department which was on display at today's ceremony. The quilt was emblazoned with the words Heartfelt (9 letters) and Everlasting (11 letters). A flag quilt, also on display was made by Margaret Wolford in September of 2001 and donated to the department today. It featured 9 stripes, 11 stars and one heart.

The program closed with the sounding of the bell by Assistant Fire Chief Brian Dizney; taps played by Faith Hutchens; and Richard Apple played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. Chief Dizney thanked everyone for coming and gave thanks to his family and the families of those who dedicate their time as firefighters, police and other emergency services.

After the program everyone was invited to stay for refreshments and many comments were overheard- ranging from 'this is the best tribute yet' to 'it was a perfectly fitting program for the ten year anniversary, thanks for doing it'.

Assistant Chief Brian Dizney performs the ringing of the bell

The American Flag is draped over the entrance to the Optimist building today

Dave Ullery narrates while the flag is folded