Nothing can match the raw emotion and anguish that Americans felt in the moments and days following the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. Wednesday, propped up by a 15-year cushion of history, came about as close as it can get.
"It's important to us, it's what brought us here today, that we never forget that day. I know we won't," said Capt. Vinnie Doherty of the New York Fire Department on Wednesday morning during a welcoming presentation of a traveling 9/11 exhibit. It's set up in the open semi-tractor trailer parked in the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino parking lot through Monday. "I personally lost 19 of my men from my firehouse that responded on a call and then never returned to the firehouse that night." The mobile exhibit "Never Forget" was created and funded by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. It is dedicated to the 414 FDNY firefighters and police who sacrificed their lives responding to terrorists' assaults by hijacked planes on the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. In total, 2,606 people died at the towers on Sept. 11, 2001. Filled with panels of information, artifacts and more, the exhibit is open from noon until 7 p.m.
Following a presentation of the colors by members of the East Peoria Fire Department, and a flawless rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" by Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Beck, Mayor Dave Mingus addressed the crowd.