TRAVERSE CITY- Here in northern Michigan, first responders and the public came together at the 9/11 memorial In Traverse City to remember what happened on that fateful day 23 years ago.
“We, the nation’s first responders, have promised to never, never forget. It was said the attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead, we emerge stronger and more unified, says Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department, Chief Paul Mackin.
In 2012, this memorial was put in place in Grand Traverse County to remember the lives lost in the attack. The brick paving has all 343 names of the first responders who lost their lives.
“I would like people in the county, to just maintain that connection, that connection to the events, even though it’s been 23 years and just understand the importance of taking time out of our day to day lives, to remember that that day,” continues Chief Mackin.
The memorial has a timeline of events from 9/11 as you walk down the pavement, at the end there is a piece of the North Tower from New York’s World Trade Center.
“Members actually took the journey. They drove out to New York, went to JFK airport, and met with members of the New York Fire Department and transported the beam back here. And so, you know, all of that effort that they put forth, you know, resulted in this just beautiful memorial here,” shares Chief Mackin.
The Grand Traverse 9/11 Memorial is a place of solemn remembrance for those who lost a loved one or knew someone who was affected.
“I think if you were of a certain age, everyone remembers, right? I remember being very scared, and not understanding. So, it was a moment of turn the tv on… my parent’s kind of coached us to my brother and i through what we were seeing,” says Brigid Palmondon.
It wasn’t until then her mother quickly realized her uncle’s building was around the corner from the world trade center
“My mom spent all morning because with cell phone interruption and phone line interruption, trying to get ahold of my aunt to confirm that my uncle was okay,” she continues.
Her uncle was ok, he was on a business trip out of town, but the community around them was affected.
“We visited them a year later and we went to the city, and we’re just shopping and hanging out. And I remember stopping on a street corner, and my aunt grabbed a hold of my arm and she said, we don’t stop anymore We don’t. We do not stop. We keep walking. And so, it intrinsically changed the culture of New York,” shares Palmondon.
The 9/11 Memorial In Grand Traverse County is open to the public 24/7, to lay flowers or pay their respects.