Minnesota Remembers 9/11 On 11th Anniversary
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Tuesday marks 11 years since the 9/11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Virginia and the crash of United Airlines flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
For the first time, elected officials were not invited to speak, where the Twin Towers once stood. Family members read the names of the victims instead.
Three Minnesota natives died in the attacks. Gary Koecheler of West St. Paul and Gordy Aamoth Jr. of Wayzata were in the World Trade towers when they fell.
Tom Burnett Jr. of Bloomington was one of the passengers credited with overtaking the hijackers on United 93.
Minnesotans everywhere are taking time this Tuesday to remember those whose lives were lost.
It was a patriotic scene in Coon Rapids, where a number of American flags were on display. It has become a tradition to see people waving the flag on the Main Street Bridge over Highway 10.
Organizers call it "A Day of Remembrance and Honor," and the support is enough to bring some people to tears.
"They thought they were going to break us, but all they did was make us stronger," said Katelynn Swiontek.
People driving by have been honking all day to show their support. It's the sixth year of the gesture.
The Coon Rapids Fire Department's fire truck was on hand, the ladder extended all the way in the air with a flag on the end. The Patriot Guard was also there.
Organizer Daniel Hanson said it's for the victims of the 9/11 attacks, but also for the first responders, and our men and women overseas. Anyone is welcome to wave a flag.
"To just be here as patriotic Americans, showing our support and letting people know that our freedom that we have here isn't free, we have men and women that are dying all the time so that we can do the things that we want to do in this country," said Hanson.
Many of the people at the bridge arrived at sunrise, and say they're going to be there until the sun goes down.
