Suburbs commemorate Sept. 11 attacks

Stevenson High School

Becky Hersh was 8 years old on Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists crashed airplanes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Although eight years have passed, she vividly remembers that day in her third-grade classroom at Tripp Elementary School in Buffalo Grove, and watching teachers weep as the tragedy unfolded.

"They were trying to explain to us what was going on, but it's hard to understand (and that age)," recalled Hersh, now a junior at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.

Hersh and about 50 classmates and teachers honored the people killed that horrible morning with a short remembrance ceremony on Friday.

The annual event is organized by Students Helping Soldiers, a group that formed on Sept. 12, 2001.

It was staged in Stevenson's scenic Garden of Peace. Surrounded by trees, plants and prairie grass, participants held hands, bowed their heads and stood silent for a few moments.

Physical education teacher Dean Moran, a former Marine, led the program.

"We cannot forget," Moran said, using a phrase on many lips Friday.

Joining the group were Brian and Corey Vaughn, two 2007 Stevenson High graduates who now are privates in the U.S. Army National Guard. The 20-year-old twin brothers, dressed in Army fatigues, wanted to show their support for the fallen, too.

Brian Vaughn said he joined the National Guard to defend the country and "to make sure nothing like that will ever happen again."

Several other commemorative events were held in Lake County on Friday.

The Countryside and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods fire departments staged separate services, while students and staffers at Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake collected apples, one for each of the terrorists' victims, at the Grayslake campus.

Other activities were planned throughout the region.

Itasca

As did many suburbs, the village of Itasca began its ceremony remembering Sept. 11 bright and early Friday.

The somber occasion was marked by police, fire, VFW and other officials presenting a wreath at Usher Park.

Richard Fafinski, commander of VFW North DuPage Post 5167, noted that the occasion was to honor the memory of those whose lives were lost in the terrorist attacks eight years ago.

"The smoke and the dust of the ruined twin towers failed to case a shadow over the extreme acts of courage andvalor displayed by hundreds of firefighters, police, emergency medical personnel and many civilians during that frightful morning," he said. "I believe now we appreciate those heroes who surround and protect us on a daily basis more than ever than before."

Fafinski also encouraged the small gathering to support the troops stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. "Never forget our armed forces as they serve to defend our liberty and way of life," he said.

The best way to honor the memory of the Sept. 11 victims, Fafinski said, is to "recommit ourselves to our families, our communities and our country. Volunteer with a community service project through any of various service organizations, churches or veterans groups."

Carol Stream

Carol Stream Deputy Fire Chief Rick Kolomay sometimes wishes he did not remember the scenes following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

But he hopes others never forget.

Kolomay got a front-row look at the chaos as a lieutenant in Schaumburg at the time. He and more than 40 others traveled to New York City the day after terrorists used airplanes to destroy the Twin Towers and witnessed the aftermath and the early hours of the massive cleanup.

"While we were proud to be there, I don't believe any one of us would ever want to experience it again," he said. "You carry it with you all of your life."

Kolomay led a service Friday morning at Carol Stream's Town Center commemorating the eighth anniversary of the attacks. It was one of many throughout DuPage County, including ceremonies in Lombard and Itasca. Several other communities had events planned for Friday afternoon and evening.

At 9:02 a.m., eight years to the minute of the first tower's collapse, honorary guardsmen from the police and fire departments raised the American flag, then lowered it to half-staff.

The 35-minute service, which brought tears from some of the 70 officers, firefighters, government officials and community members in attendance, included a prayer service and six bagpipers from the Chicago Police Department.

It was the first time since immediately following the attacks that the fire and police departments worked together on a Sept. 11 ceremony.

Kolomay said the cooperation was an important part of the event.

"It symbolizes our unity and our heart in serving the public," Kolomay said. "It was one of the most important things we have done all year."

Village President Frank Saverino said he was on his treadmill when he first heard of the attacks.

As the day unfolded, he said he was in awe of the police officers and firefighters who rushed into the buildings eight years ago hoping to rescue those trapped inside.

"What would it take to do that?" He said. "That's a bravery beyond bravery. Our people in uniform, thank God for all of them."

Daily Herald Staff Marco Santana, Russell Lissau and Scott Sanders contributed.

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