Veterans Plaza was lined with veterans of many wars as well as residents young and old alike on Sunday morning as they gathered to remember those lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
The event, hosted by both the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 688 and American Legion Post 313, is held each year not only to memorialize those lost to the terrorist attacks but to honor those who continue to serve our country.
“Since the attacks of Sept. 11, more than 2 million Americans have stepped forward to put on our nation’s uniform,” Legion Post 313 Chaplain Eric Christopher said in his opening prayer. “Over 50,000 soldiers, sailors, airman, marines and guardsman have been wounded in action, some with life-changing injuries. And over 6,000 have given their ultimate sacrifice in their defense of freedom. America cherishes their memory, and we pray for their families.”
After a prayer for those injured and lost in the line of duty, a series of speakers approached the lectern to honor the fallen and remember that fateful day. Of note, Boerne Independent School District’s recently named chief of safety and security, Rick Goodrich, recounted his experience being there at Ground Zero that very day.
“That one single moment changed our world and really made a lot of people’s world never the same,” Goodrich said. “Drove people to a call to service. Our country was never as united as it was in those days after that dark hour in my life.”
Goodrich recalled that morning, as his wife was already off to work in midtown Manhattan, when his pager began going off. He was told to turn on the TV where he first learned a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Initially assuming some tourist helicopter or personal aircraft accidentally struck the building, he never assumed it was a terrorist attack on the United States.
Goodrich was serving on a strike force with the Drug Enforcement Agency in New York City for just less than a year, noting he would’ve been in the city a year that October. This job meant he worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement and customs, and in that moment, he said he ran toward the fire and reported to his parent agency.
After realizing his work vehicle was no longer where he left it on the street, Goodrich recalled hailing a town car and the striking conversation that ensued with the Sikh driver.
“Somewhere in route, the second plane had hit the tower, and it was becoming more evident,” Goodrich said. “And I remember – most of you if you have been deployed, you’ve been to war, you’ve been in critical incidents – but there’s certain defining moments that you recall, specifically, and I recall that conversation with him saying, ‘My people have been at war with Islamic extremists for over 40 years in the Kashmir region between Pakistan and India,” and he essentially inferred welcome to the party.
“He knew before I did that the next what the next 21 years were going to be like.”
Goodrich recalled as the first tower fell what it was like to be there when the dust flew down the crowded Manhattan streets, something so many have seen in videos of that day. But Goodrich recalled seeking assistance from a nearby emergency vehicle operated by two Hasidic Jewish men, who began administering aid, handing Goodrich and his fellow first responders gauze to cover their mouths.
Fighting through the emotions tied to recalling such a tragic site, Goodrich recalled the panicked responses of so many that day, including those who jumped from the towers taking fate into their own hands, an officer who attempted to shoot out a door that wouldn’t open and the countless hours spent removing debris by hand searching for any survivors.
“The biggest reason for hosting the 911 event is that we never forget what happened,” American Legion Post 313 Commander Don Gray said. “So, that’s why we continue the ceremonies to continually remind people how vulnerable we are if were not diligent in our safety.”
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