Community gathers in Central Park for 25th anniversary

(Seguin) – The 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America brought back up more than just memories. It also renewed a promise to continue to share those memories and stories of that tragic day.

City leaders, first responders and members of the community gathered Friday morning in Central Park to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks and to honor the first responders and those everyday citizens who answered the call that day. The gathering was part of the city of Seguin’s annual 9/11 observance.

Seguin Police Chief Jason Brady, says the annual observance has become especially important as more and more people have no personal memory of the attacks.

“We all know where we were. We know what those days were like. The problem, though, is if you don’t have those memories, it’s hard to remember. And I wonder if we are truly remembering,” said Brady. “I’ve seen instances where students could not name the significance of this date. I’ve seen textbooks that have sort of whitewashed what this was about. Over 3,000 people were murdered – mass murder on that day. It was an act of terrorism and extremism, and we don’t want to take that out of context.”

Brady says the stories of those who died – especially the first responders who ran toward danger while others were trying to escape – must continue to be shared.

Chief Brady also shared the story of NYPD Officer John William Perry, who had gone to police headquarters on September 11 to turn in his badge and paperwork as he prepared to retire and begin a new career as an attorney. But when news of the attacks spread, he says Perry retrieved his credentials and headed to the World Trade Center to help rescue others. He was killed when the second tower collapsed.

“When his city needed him, even though he was retiring, he returned. He made that final call. And there’s numerous stories of others like him, and that’s why we’re remembering – remembering the first responders who came and showed up when everyone else was running the other direction,” said Brady. “Yeah, I’m still angry. Absolutely. And I’m angry that we’re starting to forget. So, let’s not. I think it’s our obligation to make sure that the story is continually told and that we do not forget.”

Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen also encouraged those gathered Friday to share their own stories of where they were and what they experienced on September 11.

Dodgen shared her own experience of being aboard the last plane to land  that morning at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Dodgen says she was traveling to a meeting in Longview when the attacks occurred. As she exited the plane, she saw first responders and police officers lining the jetway. She then saw the second tower collapse on a television inside the airport.

That’s when she says a stranger tapped her on the shoulder and gave her advice that she will never forget.

“He says, ‘If you’ve rented a car, you need to keep it.’ That was my angel that day,” said Dodgen. “That is the only way I got home, because I listened to that man. I still can remember that tap on my shoulder saying, ‘Keep your car.’”

Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray — who at the time was a rookie DPS Trooper in El Paso, also shared his vivid memories of that day.

Having recently left active duty with the United States Marine Corps, Ray says the attacks created an internal struggle over whether he should continue his career in public safety or return to military service.

“What’s important is to not only remember the men and women that made that sacrifice, the many that ran into that building when it was burning down, but also keep in mind the unspoken reality of that is that could happen in any town in the United States. Seguin, Texas, is not exempt from that,” said Ray.

Although it was 25 years ago, Ray says he’s confident that the men and women in uniform today would have done the same thing.

“The men and women that you see in uniform right here, they’re going to be those people that are running in. They’re going to be the ones that make that commitment,” said Ray. “They already do it. They do it every single day. Every day they run into danger in some form or fashion. So, we not only need to keep in mind and remember who made that sacrifice on 9/11, but know that we have brave, courageous public servants that are doing that every day.”

For new Seguin Fire Chief Garrett Herbert, the anniversary also brought back memories of his own time as a firefighter.

Herbert says he was on duty at Fire Station 3 in New Braunfels on September 11, 2001. He remembers what started as an ordinary morning — quickly turned into a moment that forever change his profession.

“It was the kind of morning that happens thousands of times throughout a career. And then it wasn’t,” said Herbert. “Like so many others across this country, we stood there with confusion, with disbelief and the realization that our lives would never be the same.”

Herbert says the images of that day can never be erased.

“I remember watching firefighters climbing stairwells while everyone else was trying to get out. I remember police officers running towards something that no one understood. I remember ordinary citizens simply doing whatever needed to be done,” said Herbert. “I remember watching in disbelief as the first tower fell, and then the second.”

Herbert says those heroes 25 years no doubt set the standard for all those who have followed.

“Twenty-five years ago, men and women who we never met showed up and showed us what extraordinary looks like. They didn’t get out of bed that morning to become heroes. But when their moment came, they answered the call,” said Herbert. “Every day in our community, perhaps someone you know will experience the worst day of their lives. And when they call, we will answer. We will go. We will help, and we will stand beside them. That is our profession. That is our responsibility. And that is our promise.”

The city has hosted a 9/11 remembrance ceremony each year since the tragedy in 2001.