Patriot Day honors American freedoms
Ceremony held Tuesday at Grant County Courthouse
EPHRATA - One Grant County resident hopes Tuesday turns out to be a day to be thankful for freedom.
A remembrance ceremony will be held on the lawn and steps of the Grant County Courthouse Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The event is put on by the American Legion Family of Art Semro Post and Unit 28. The 1161st Transportation Company, the city of Ephrata, Ephrata Fire Department, Ephrata Police, Grant County and Grant County Sheriff's Office are amongst those organizations participating.
Coordinator Jane Montaney explained Congress in December 2001 designated Sept. 11 as Patriot Day.
"Patriot Day is supposed to be a day for us to remember our freedoms and not to take them for granted," she said. "We're trying to make sure we honor all those who have given for our freedoms throughout the years, from the Civil War up through today."
Emergency services personnel are included. Montaney thinks they tend to be forgotten by people.
"They think of our defenders as being those serving in the military, but we have our fire, police, sheriff and ambulance who are here every day, and we have a tendency to take them for granted," she said.
The Legion has commemorated the holiday each year since its designation.
"It's just something we do on an annual basis to help us to remember," Montaney said. "It's like, you take things for granted. Mom's going to have dinner on the table and Dad's going to be there, but it doesn't always happen that way. We have what we have because of the sacrifices of these people. There are an awful lot of countries which do not have the freedoms we do."
Throughout the day, tolling bells remind citizens of their freedom and mark each of the separate terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 - at 8:45 a.m. when Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center; at 9:03 a.m. when Flight 175 crashed into the south tower; at 9:43 a.m. when Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon and at 10 a.m. when Flight 93 crashed into a field east of Pittsburgh.
If Montaney had her way, the celebration would draw the entire community. Past events have drawn crowds not quite the size she would like, she said.
"I'd be happy if we had a couple hundred people there; I'd be ecstatic if we had the population," she said.
The event is open to everyone, and not just the citizens of Ephrata.
Montaney would like to see more awareness by the general public, with people perhaps thanking members of the military or emergency services personnel the next time they see someone.
"I know everybody's bound and determined that they always 'support the troops but bring them home,'" she said. "I think we need to get out of the politics and let the military do their job, support them no matter what it is."
The remembrance ceremony also includes a special portion to increase awareness of prisoners of war and those missing in action. A recent national convention presentation taught Montaney people from the maternal side of the family should give a sample of DNA to help identify some of those individuals, she said.
A table will also be set up for people who have immediate family members who are actively serving to receive a blue star banner, and displays of different things made for veterans and for troops, such as pocket flags, if someone would like to donate materials or learn to make them themselves.
For more information, call Montaney at 509-754-4889.