“First row, left face. Forward march.”
At sunrise, color guards from the Grand Rapids Police and Fire Departments lowered the flag outside the Ford Presidential Museum where throughout the day, representatives from fire, police, EMS, military, and scouts took turns keeping a continuous salute of the flag, paying respect to all those who died during the terrorist attacks.
“Second row, attention. Hand salute”
Aaron Gach, Deputy Scout Executive, says it’s important to carry on the tradition to teach those who may not have even been born in 2001.
“To be able to participate in something physically, as simple as a salute or putting your hand over your heart and looking at the American flag may take on a new meaning and we see that growing year after year after year.”
Scouts like Jane Mancewicz of Troop 283G from Belmont.
“Maybe we weren’t there or don’t really know but it was that big and there are effects of it today.”
Bells ring at the exact times planes crashed into the World Trade Center Tower, Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.
“At 9:03, the flight crashes into the World Trade Center South Tower. All aboard the plane are killed”
Memorial events continue until sundown. The public is invited to come throughout the day, and remember.