BY PAT FARNELLI
Correspondent
The setting sun casts Ben Hoal’s youthful shadow on Danny Crisman’s memorial as Ben and his grandfather, World War II US Navy veteran Harry Williams, admire the monument and surrounding garden. Danny Crisman died in NYC during the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center towers. PHOTOS BY PAT FARNELLI
More than 150 gathered to observe the fourteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, including a woman who has dedicated a spacious park to the remembrance of her son, Danny Crisman, who was among those who died at the World Trade Center.
Debbie Crisman did not speak, but her efforts to consecrate the memories of those lost that tragic day and in the wars that followed were apparent in the memorials placed throughout the field.
Members of the Montrose Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion at Elk Lake and Hallstead, and other veterans groups turned out in support of the annual event. A special flag was flown, in remembrance of the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. Hayden Brunges sang the National Anthem, as well as America the Beautiful and I Can Only Imagine.
Don Donaldson introduced the featured speaker, Col. Dan Braun of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He said that Braun, a native of North Dakota, served this country in Korea, Honduras, Kuwait, and elsewhere.
Boy Scout Jake Curley completed his Eagle Scout service project at the Danny Crisman Memorial, pressure washing the gazebo and other structures and laying a stone walkway to the Danny Arnold Memorial. He was recognized for his efforts by Don Donaldson, who has served as master of ceremonies for the Sept. 11 observance here every year except the first, when he was deployed.
Braun said that he personally recognized more than 100 names on the memorials installed in South Montrose.
His speech was on foundations. He said that he lived for some time in California, and having foundations shaken was nothing new to him.
“The first thing you did when anything happened was to check your foundation,” he said. He said that the Constitution of the United States, and the preamble of the Declaration of Independence, established our nation’s foundations.
“Now, foundations are made from reinforced concrete,” he said. “Sand and lime, stone and water. Each of these has its own weaknesses, but put together, they form something very strong.”
“With heat and pressure, they become stronger,” he said. “We are much more than the sum of our parts.”
He continued, “Our mettle was tested on 9/11. But I see no cracks in the foundation of this nation.”
He noted that there have been two times when there has been a unanimous agreement of the nation. The first was for the Declaration of Independence, which states, “In Congress, July 4, 1776, The unanimous declaration of the 13 united states of America.” He said the second occurred approximately 14 years ago, on the steps of the Capitol, when congress members spontaneously joined in singing God Bless America.
Shortly after the conclusion of the speech, Amy Johnson of Montrose began singing God Bless America, and the crowd joined in.
Pastor Bob Kadlecik of the Bridgewater Church prayed, “Comfort the families who have lost loved ones. Wrap Your arms around them. On this day of death and hate, help us to respond with love.”
Bud Wilcox of the Montrose VFW played the bugle call “Taps” at the conclusion of the service.
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