COON RAPIDS, Minn. -- Last Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States.
For many, it's a day to reflect on those tragic events which changed how we live.
For the 10th straight year first responders and others took part in a sun up to sun down vigil on the Main Street Bridge over Highway 10.
As drivers crossed the Main Street Bridge last Sunday, they were greeted with waves of red, white and blue. Patriots, young and old carried flags, including Shawn Frink who works as a firefighter in Andover.
"A reminder today, you never forget where you were on September 11, 2001," Frink said.
In addition to firefighters and ladder trucks from Anoka, Champlin and Andover, there were several members of the Minnesota Patriot Guard, like Jim Maurine of Blaine, who stood watch.
"To me it's just important to remember everybody that sacrificed their lives on that day," said Maurine.
"This was our Pearl Harbor," remarked Daniel Hanson of Champlin. Hanson has organized this September 11th event on the Main Street Bridge in Coon Rapids for the past 10 years. He has high regard for the Patriot Guard.
"These people have been awesome they come up here every year and they make sure that these flags wave," Hanson said.
September 11, 2001, was the deadliest day in history for New York City firefighters, when 343 firefighter were killed trying to rescue people from the World Trade Center.
"That event, watching the fire fighters dig through the rubble," said Frink, who remembered that painful day. Back then he worked construction and felt a call to serve that would change his life.
"It was a very humbling experience and one I'll never forget," said Frink, "and is one of the main reasons that I am here today as a firefighter."
One of the heroes of that dreadful day came from New Jersey, Ladder 155.
"Well once I found out it was from 9-11 I couldn't sell it," said Jeff Schadt, who is a retired Maplewood firefighter who buys and resales used fire trucks. Only after he bought Ladder 155, did he discover its history.
"Came in as a mutual aid ladder truck to assist New York Fire, when the second tower went down and they lost one-third of their fleet," Schadt said.
Daniel Hanson was proud to have Ladder 155 on the Main Street Bridge. But the thoughts of what happened, 15 years ago and 1,200 miles away in New York, those memories stoked a painful chord.
"Just to have that here, waving the American flag - it brings back a lot," said Hanson.
New this year, a car show was held in the Lowe's parking lot. More than 150 cars took part in the event.
(Copyright 2016 by CTN Coon Rapids. All Rights Reserved.)
For many, it's a day to reflect on those tragic events which changed how we live.
For the 10th straight year first responders and others took part in a sun up to sun down vigil on the Main Street Bridge over Highway 10.
As drivers crossed the Main Street Bridge last Sunday, they were greeted with waves of red, white and blue. Patriots, young and old carried flags, including Shawn Frink who works as a firefighter in Andover.
"A reminder today, you never forget where you were on September 11, 2001," Frink said.
In addition to firefighters and ladder trucks from Anoka, Champlin and Andover, there were several members of the Minnesota Patriot Guard, like Jim Maurine of Blaine, who stood watch.
"To me it's just important to remember everybody that sacrificed their lives on that day," said Maurine.
"This was our Pearl Harbor," remarked Daniel Hanson of Champlin. Hanson has organized this September 11th event on the Main Street Bridge in Coon Rapids for the past 10 years. He has high regard for the Patriot Guard.
"These people have been awesome they come up here every year and they make sure that these flags wave," Hanson said.
September 11, 2001, was the deadliest day in history for New York City firefighters, when 343 firefighter were killed trying to rescue people from the World Trade Center.
"That event, watching the fire fighters dig through the rubble," said Frink, who remembered that painful day. Back then he worked construction and felt a call to serve that would change his life.
"It was a very humbling experience and one I'll never forget," said Frink, "and is one of the main reasons that I am here today as a firefighter."
One of the heroes of that dreadful day came from New Jersey, Ladder 155.
"Well once I found out it was from 9-11 I couldn't sell it," said Jeff Schadt, who is a retired Maplewood firefighter who buys and resales used fire trucks. Only after he bought Ladder 155, did he discover its history.
"Came in as a mutual aid ladder truck to assist New York Fire, when the second tower went down and they lost one-third of their fleet," Schadt said.
Daniel Hanson was proud to have Ladder 155 on the Main Street Bridge. But the thoughts of what happened, 15 years ago and 1,200 miles away in New York, those memories stoked a painful chord.
"Just to have that here, waving the American flag - it brings back a lot," said Hanson.
New this year, a car show was held in the Lowe's parking lot. More than 150 cars took part in the event.
(Copyright 2016 by CTN Coon Rapids. All Rights Reserved.)
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