Thank you to all who read and commented on my blog post about the sad 25th Anniversary of 9/11.
We have so many memories of that horrific day, and the 25-year milestone was a poignant time of remembrance for us, and I'm sure for you.
Also touching for us was learning 13 years ago that Jason Dahl, the pilot and captain of the doomed United Flight 93 plane brought down by brave passengers on 9/11 into a field in Pennsylvania before it could destroy another part of Washington, DC, was a resident who lived in our Colorado suburban Front Range neighborhood.
Many of our friends knew Jason and told us what a wonderful person he was, as a neighbor, husband, father, and Boy Scout Leader.
After his tragic death on 9/11, our community erected a small memorial to Captain Dahl on our main street, just outside his neighborhood. It is a marble stone with a bronze eagle in flight. Over the years, neighbors have decorated it every 9/11 in remembrance, as you can see in the collage of photos I took.
A non-profit, the Jason Dahl Scholarship Foundation, was also established in his memory. It supports future generations of pilots, young people yearning to fly, through the award of Aviation Scholarships annually.
This year, on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, there was a special remembrance ceremony held for Captain Dahl and all those who perished on 9/11, held at his memorial, generously sponsored by local businesses.
In attendance as speakers were neighbors who knew Captain Dahl as well as other members of our community, Police and Fire Color Guards, our local West Metro Fire Department, a Fire Department Ceremonial Bagpiper, some United Airlines pilots, and two ladies who sang a variety of patriotic songs.
You can see the "Missing Man" flyover that occurred at the beginning of the Memorial program in this Youtube short video.
The bagpiper played a few songs, one of which was "Amazing Grace," which always brings a tear to my eyes.
You can also watch it as a short video on this YouTube link
A special memorial American Flag was folded by a Police Color Guard, and a Red, White, and Blue flower wreath was placed at Captain Dahl's Memorial.
The Color Guard also marched off with the United States of America Flag and Colorado State Flag at the end of the ceremony.
The ceremony ended with all of us singing "America the Beautiful."
It was a very honorable remembrance ceremony for Captain Dahl and all those who perished on 9/11.
May we always remember them...
... and may we also remember these words spoken after 9/11 by the late Mrs. Sandy Dahl:
"If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate." -- Sandy Dahl
PS: We were away last week, "Leaf Peeping" the aspen trees in the Rocky Mountains turning their gorgeous golden fall color--join me again on my blog soon to see more!
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8 comments:
Great memorial post Pat! I love the quote, there is no time for hate.
Take care, enjoy your Monday! Have a wonderful week!
Oh wow! What a hero Jason Dahl was and he has been remembered well. Thank you for sharing!
The memory of that horrible day 25 years ago stays with me. I love the memorial to Captain Dahl and the special ceremony in remembrance. For my mother's generation, the day in infamy was December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor bombing. I grew up helping my mother remember. #MMBC
Very important to remember. Thank you for sharing at MosaicMonday. Greetings by Heidrun
This is so beautiful. What a special remembrance. I didn't know he was from the area. Thank you for sharing this! Visiting from the Senior Salon Pit Stop link party.
What a beautiful and moving tribute to Captain Dahl and everyone who lost their lives on 9/11. It must have been especially meaningful to learn about his connection to your own community and to see how his memory continues to be honoured there.
Thank you for sharing this. I'm so grateful that remembrances took place so that young people can learn more about this horrific day in our country's history. Captain Dahl sounds like he was a remarkable person, as were many who were lost that day. May we remember them always.
That sounds like an incredible memorial service.
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