Old Glory and Gold Star gratitude

Hundreds of people flocked to the Silver Lake Mall Saturday for a remembrance ceremony honoring those killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Greeting visitors at the entrance was a large American flag, waving in the wind. 

Inside, veterans, military officers, law enforcement professionals, families, and individuals gathered for a series of guest speakers and to pay tribute.  

On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with Islamic extremist group al-Qaida seized four planes to attack several U.S. targets. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, a third hit the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania. 

Nearly 3,000 people were killed.

"On Sept. 11, 2001, 72 peace officers woke up that morning to serve their community," Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said Saturday. "72 peace officers were murdered by 19 radical Muslims in the name of Islam."

Like many Americans, the anniversary of Sept. 11 brings up the question — where were you when the World Trade Center was hit? 

At that time, Norris was working as a California police officer in what he called "one of the most violent, active stations in the United States." However, he said a phenomenon occurred in the weeks following the Sept. 11 attacks. 

"Violent crime, robberies, domestic violence - it was nonexistent. A sense of national community was born," Norris said. "Our nation rallied together as one." 

Attending Saturday's ceremony were several Gold Star families — the spouses, children, parents, siblings, or others whose loved ones died in service to the United States. Theresa Hart, a Hayden resident and founder of Newby-ginnings of North Idaho, Inc., is one of those Gold Star mothers. 

On Saturday, Hart read a journal entry she wrote on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Hart described watching the television coverage of the attacks with her sons. 

"We were watching history take place," she said. 

Throughout the day, the news got worse as information about the hijackings rolled in, and the number of deaths increased. In the months that followed, America went to war in the Middle East. 

"I had no idea that my then 11-year-old son would go to that faraway place as a young man nine years later and die when an improvised explosive device (IED) hit his convoy," Hart said, struggling to fight back the tears. "An IED planted by the same monsters in people suits that attacked us 20 years ago today." 

Nick Hart was the 4,471st U.S. casualty in Iraq since March 2003, Hart said. 

"4,471. I love you, Nick. I miss you more every day," Hart said. 

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Christopher Way said life took "a different turn" on Sept. 11, 2001. In the two decades that followed 9/11, Way said, U.S. citizens have become more ready and thankful for what we have.

"It's a difficult thing to imagine because I think most of us on Sept. 10, 2001, would have never imagined that we would be here on Sept. 11, 2021, talking about the day that followed," Way said.

He expressed his appreciation for the 72 law enforcement officers and 343 firefighters and paramedics who died in service at the World Trade Center.

"2,996 people died on Sept. 11, 2001, and countless thousands more have died as a result," Way said. "What we can do is make sure we never forget." 

Looking to the future, Way said the American people "cannot lose our vigilance." 

"As we go to bed tonight ... I would ask you to be thoughtful, be prayerful, and be thankful that we live in the United States of America," he said. 

Kirk Hoffman had flown into New York on Sept. 10, 2001, for a business meeting set for 9 a.m. the following day on the 91st floor of the World Trade Center. When he arrived at his hotel, Hoffman had an email from his business partner who said the meeting was rescheduled.  

"I could see the two towers from my hotel room," he said. "Shortly after hearing the first plane crash, I saw a huge jetliner fly over the hotel into the building and explode."

Hoffman said witnessing the events firsthand was much more intense than anything the television could have portrayed. It was clear to Hoffman that anybody who entered the building "had to know that they probably wouldn't make it out with their lives."

"To see those police officers go through that, enter that building was really witnessing bravery," Hoffman said.  

As he drove back across the country from New York to Idaho, Hoffman said he witnessed the strength of the American spirit. 

"I want to thank all those for their sacrifice, the loss of their loved ones," Hoffman said. "I hope that as a country, we can get back to how we were back on Sept. 12, 2001, unified."