Eastlake pays tribute to 9/11 victims The News-Herald, September 12, 2011 by Bill DeBus
Morris Clifton of Euclid remembers that he was in his bedroom watching TV on Sept. 11, 2001, when a bulletin broke in about a commercial airliner striking one of the World Trade Center towers.
As he stayed riveted to his television and watched the 9/11 terrorist attacks unfold, Clifton said he felt a sense of disbelief.
"I couldn't grasp the reality of it, that it was real as I looked at it on my TV," said Clifton, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972.
As he looks back over the past 10 years, Clifton said one way that 9/11 strengthened our country was by creating a renewed spirit of togetherness and thoughtfulness among Americans.
That unity was evident Sunday in Eastlake, as Clifton and hundreds of others gathered for the city's "America Remembers Memorial: 9/11/2001" program at the Boulevard of 500 Flags.
Area clergy, musicians and military units participated in the ceremony. Speaker Ray Milavec also delivered a six-part narration recalling how, when and where the terrorists attacked; and the number of casualties resulting from those acts.
Planners of the Eastlake program decided to include the narration to help tell the story of 9/11, an important part of honoring those who died in the terrorist attacks, said city Fire Chief Ted Whittington.
"I don't think most of us needed to be reminded of (the events that occurred on 9/11), but I think our goal here is to never forget," Whittington said. "We have to tell (the 9/11 victims') stories, for the people that they left behind and their families as they begin to build their lives back up."
Whittington also encouraged everyone to remember how Americans bounced back from the terrorist attacks starting on Sept. 12, 2001.
"We came together as a country," Whittington said. "We were united. We helped everybody. Neighbors helped neighbors, people looked out for each other, and we began the process of healing."
Eastlake Police Chief Larry Reik said he'll never forget the courage and bravery shown by people from all walks of life who played a role in responding to the 9/11 attacks.
"The stories of heroic actions that came that day were as plentiful as the ones filled with grief," he said. "The countless heroes who led people out of the towers before they fell. The passengers that faced imminent deaths by taking down (United Airlines) Flight 93. And the civilians and military that helped at the scene of the Pentagon."
Reik said it's important to continue paying tribute to the victims of 9/11 in the years to come.
"I believe we owe it to the heroes to take time to teach their stories to our loved ones," he said. "We will speak of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and others who gave so much of themselves. We will allow what they did to inspire us to be better friends, workers, parents and children. In short, we must use their stories to help us become better people."
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