'It seems like yesterday'

The 9/11 memorial ceremony at Fallen Heroes Plaza at Cherry Hill Park lasted just a few minutes on a cool, cloudy Wednesday. 

There were no speeches. No keynote speakers. Not even a welcome from a dignitary. 

There was a reason for that. 

“This is a day to remember,” said Coeur d’Alene Firefighter/Engineer Josh Hoston, part of the honor guard. “This is our way to help folks along the way.” 

About 15 firefighters and a few citizens turned out for event for the 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City. It’s something Coeur d’Alene firefighters have done every year since 2008. 

As the flag was raised and lowered by the Coeur d’Alene Firefighters honor guard, Capt. Chris Kieres played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. As the honor guard walked away, the somber song, “Going Home,” filled the air as the crowd looked on.

Warren Keene has been there most of those years. 

“This is where we celebrate our memories of the fallen,” he said. 

Keene wondered if perhaps the public was forgetting that awful day 23 years ago, as the crowd for Wednesday’s ceremony was small. 

“Twenty-three years is a long time ago and it seems like yesterday,” he said. 

Keene appreciated the courage displayed by firefighters on that day. 

“Those people went into the fire,” he said. 

Resident Julie Shea walked around as she surveyed Fallen Heroes Plaza, then chatted with a few firefighters. 

On Sept. 11, 2008, the city of Coeur d’Alene unveiled the first memorial component of the plaza featuring two basalt columns representing the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and an artifact from Ground Zero.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the final phase Sept. 11, 2009.

The memorial sculptures are dedicated to Idaho firefighters and law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

“I wanted to come out when I heard about it,” Shea said. “I just wanted to come out to remember.” 

Shea, who lived in San Francisco at the time, had cousins with New York police and fire departments Sept. 11, 2001. They weren’t injured in the attack, but she said it took an emotional toll on them. 

“It was just unreal when it happened,” Shea said.  

Coeur d’Alene Deputy Fire Marshal Craig Etherton was part of the honor guard. He said it was important to be there and the event gives people an opportunity to reflect on the significance of that day.

“It was a terrible day in history. I think any way we can take some time to remember the sacrifices that were made that day we should,” he said. “We should do it every day.”  

District 4 Rep. Joe Alfieri of Coeur d’Alene also said it was hard to imagine that Sept. 11, 2001, was 23 years ago.  

The ex-New Yorker lost loved ones in the attack and it affects him to this day. 

“It’s very emotional for me, what it’s done to our country since then,” Alfieri said.  

He said it’s hard to live in a state of constant fear. 

“Hopefully we’ve moved beyond that, but the threat is still there,” Alfieri said.  

    Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Capt. Chris Kieres plays “Amazing Grace" at Fallen Heroes Plaza at Cherry Hill Park on Wednesday.
  

    The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department honor guard leads the 9/11 memorial ceremony at Fallen Heroes Plaza on Wednesday. The honor guard includes Josh Hoston, Craig Etherton, Matt Tosi and Andrew Goodsell.
  

    The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department honor guard leaves the 9/11 memorial ceremony at Fallen Heroes Plaza on Wednesday.
  

    The Coeur d'Alene Firefighters honor guard raises the flag at Fallen Heroes Plaza on Wednesday.