advertisement

Wauconda recognizes Sept. 11 terror attacks with Memorial Park ceremony

Wauconda Fire Protection District Chief David Dato reflected on what he says has been a shift in attitude toward public safety employees during a village ceremony commemorating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Speaking to about 150 people at Memorial Park in downtown Wauconda on Thursday, Dato said first responders almost could do no wrong in the public's eye in the aftermath of the attacks 13 years ago. Gratitude for police and firefighter became common.

"People would bring cookies and everything else to the police stations, fire stations, the emergency management groups," Dato said. "Unfortunately, I think we've lost a little bit of that. And I think it's very important to keep the great work that public safety does in your minds as you go on your daily lives, realizing that while we have our great military that defends us overseas - and, of course, with our National Guard here at home - daily, policemen and firemen work and do a phenomenal job."

Dato said he hopes no one forgets the effort by police and firefighters to save lives Sept. 11, 2001.

Other speakers included Deputy Police Chief Thomas Bender, American Legion Post 911 Cmdr. Thomas Baur and Wauconda Mayor Frank Bart, a military veteran. Jim Reynolds of Grayslake played taps to close the ceremony, which occurred about 50 yards from where a World Trade Center beam was displayed on a flatbed truck outside police headquarters.

Plans call for the beam to anchor a proposed Heroes of Freedom Memorial at the park to honor the troops and emergency personnel who have served in the war on terror. Bart briefly touched on the plan for the crowd.

He said representatives from the fire protection district, police, village government, civic groups and veterans organizations are part of a volunteer committee to decide how to build the tribute that would be funded through private donations. He said the goal is to dedicate Heroes of Freedom on Sept. 11, 2015.

"The beam that you see, it fell 13 years ago today," said Bart, who became visibly emotional. "And in Wauconda, it will be a symbol of strength. It will rise again. And those who have sacrificed so much, it will stand for their strength."

Former Gurnee Trustee Kirk Morris acquired the World Trade Center beam and would give it to Wauconda for the new memorial. Morris' son, Geoffrey, was a Marine who died in Iraq in 2004.

Morris' private foundation had been in charge of building a larger-scale Heroes of Freedom memorial on public land in Gurnee. Morris sued village government in 2010, not long after Mayor Kristina Kovarik accused his foundation of being incapable of building what was supposed to be a privately funded memorial and removed it from the effort.

Under a lawsuit settlement approved in 2013, Gurnee's insurance carrier paid $200,000 to the ex-trustee's Pfc. Geoffrey Morris Memorial Foundation for design work and other improvements the group made to the one-acre site on Old Grand Avenue, now set to become a plaza honoring former Mayor Richard Welton.

Is former Gurnee military memorial headed to Wauconda?

Images: September 11 Observances Around the World and Nation

Images: September 11 Observances in the Suburbs

  Wauconda Mayor Frank Bart, a military veteran, salutes as taps played during a ceremony recognizing the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Charlotte Reimers, 6, of Volo holds an American flag as Wauconda commemorated the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks at Memorial Park. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Wauconda commemorated the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks with a ceremony Thursday at Memorial Park. A World Trade Center beam also was there for viewing. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.