Northwest suburbs mourn, reflect and remember
In the auditorium of Buffalo Grove High School, the 10th anniversary of 9/11 was commemorated with stirring music by Howard Green and the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band.
It was one of several ceremonies held across the Northwest suburbs Sunday morning to remember the lives lost and the lessons learned from the terrorist attacks a decade ago.
To commemorate the day, many suburbs hosted memorial ceremonies with music, prayers, speeches, touching tributes, video presentations, moments of silence and American flags.
Some suburban residents honored the anniversary at an interfaith service for peace at North School Park in Arlington Heights.
More than 150 people attended the service, sponsored by the Children of Abraham Coalition, which unites followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
“America is a melting pot,” said Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder. “September 11 taught us that we need to be more accepting of our differences.”
Peace through faith and acceptance was the message behind the prayers and readings across different religions. Readings were presented by leaders of the faith and teenage members of the coalition, many who were too young to remember the 2001 attacks but said that growing up in the post-9/11 world has shaped their faith.
“9/11 made me turn to God more,” said Samantha Ropski, 18 of Prospect Heights.
People at the prayer service were also asked to write down what they would do this week to be a person of peace.
Arely Morales, 17 of North Chicago, said she wants to work to be a voice for those who don't have one and stand up for those being marginalized due to their faith.
Rabbi Stephen Hart of Temple Chai in Long Grove closed the ceremony promoting unity.
“Let there be peace on earth,” he said. “And let it begin with you.”
In Buffalo Grove, sports announcer Wayne Messmer joined the symphonic band as they performed Aaron Copland's “A Lincoln Portrait,” which included Lincoln's famous words “that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”
Buffalo Grove Village President Jeffrey Braiman said it was a day that defined America's character.
“Prior to 9/11, acts of terrorism happened somewhere else, on the streets of Jerusalem, in Pakistan, in Europe, or other far away places that did not impact our everyday lives. Sept. 11 changed all that. There was finally a realization that the world was shrinking,” he said.
One of the most moving moments was provided by Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra, who said he lost 343 brothers that day, referring to the New York City firefighters who perished.
“Not many families can handle that. But my family is. I have a huge, huge family,” he said.
The keynote speaker was U.S. Army Brigadier General Gracus K. Dunn, who praised today's soldiers who are defending our nation.
“Yes, the next great generation is serving today,” he said. “These soldiers have served in one, two, and sometimes multiple deployments, leaving behind families and friends, leaving behind loved ones, and some of them paying the ultimate sacrifice in never returning.”