Coeur d'Alene gathering remembers 9/11 terrorist attacks

COEUR d’ALENE — George Howley was a sergeant with the New York City Police Department 23 years ago when two planes were flown into the north and south towers of the World Trade Center, claiming more than 2,000 lives.

For Howley, who now lives in Dalton Gardens, the importance of 9/11 memorial events like the one at Silver Lake Mall on Wednesday cannot be overstated.  

“It means remembering the lost, the sick, the brave and the indomitable American spirit,” Howley said.  

About 100 people joined Gold Star families, veterans and active duty servicemembers for the ceremony that included a moment of silence, prayer and speakers. It was organized by the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

“If you were alive on 9/11, you know exactly where you were and what you were doing that day,” Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Jay Lillefloren told the crowd.  

Lillefloren conveyed a message of hope, recalling the patriotism that swept the country in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. 

“Within days, you could not buy an American flag. They were flying everywhere,” Lillefloren said.

He also highlighted how more people enlisted in the armed forces within the first year following 9/11 than in any year since then.  

“There is a sense of strength and pride that comes with remembering what was lost,” Lillefloren said.  

For some, the gathering was an opportunity to educate younger generations, who often do not remember 9/11 directly or fully understand what happened.  

Ken Johnson, now captain and coordinator of the American Legion Honor Guard, was working in the Pentagon when one of the planes crashed into it. Johnson narrowly avoided the fireball that resulted from the crash and spent the next 22 hours working on recovery operations.  

Johnson, along with several fellow American Legion members, had a display of 9/11 memorabilia and artifacts, including a piece from the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.  

“It’s part of our history,” Johnson said. “I just think it's important that people remember what happened.” 

American Legion North Idaho Area Commander Dee Sasse also believes in the importance of the continued remembrance of 9/11 and is concerned that the events and lives lost may fade from memory.  

“So many kids that were born after 9/11 are not being taught about it in school,” she said.

Wednesday’s event was not only to honor those lost during the attacks, but also those who have died or continue to suffer from illness linked to being at or near Ground Zero during the aftermath.