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When Bud Maxfield arrived at Wright Park Friday evening, he saw three familiar icons in Liberty Garden.
A chunk of limestone from the Pentagon. A piece of twisted steel from the World Trade Center. Another piece of limestone, this from the Flight 93 crash site near Shanksville, Pa.
Those reminders of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States formed the backdrop for Friday's 9/11 memorial service, which honored the victims of those attacks.
For some, those icons evoke memories of a painful day that they'd rather forget.
Maxfield acknowledged the horror of that day, summed up in those pieces of the past. But he said they also symbolize America's strength in the face of tragedy.
"When you stand here and look at that and think back to what was on TV eight years ago tonight, it just crushes you inside," he said. "I think it gives you some fortitude to say, 'Let's don't let this happen again. Let's stay and watch a little closer.'"
Maxfield and about 49 other members of the Patriot Guard participated in the service, which drew a crowd of observers to Wright Park. Armed with large American flags, the Patriot Guard riders surrounded Liberty Garden during the service.
As in years past, the ceremony included some familiar rituals.
Police Chief John Ball and Sheriff Dean Bush placed a wreath at the foot of a pedestal, which bore the steel from the World Trade Center. A few minutes later, Dodge City Fire Department Capt. Mark Elder tolled a fire bell to honor the firefighters who sacrificed their lives to save others.
Together, those rituals conveyed a timeless message: Never forget.
Dodge City resident Tim Dial, who watched the service from the sidelines, said he believes the memory of the Sept. 11 attacks has faded for many Americans.
"I think it's important to remember what happened on that day and just get together with other people who feel the same way," he said.
Dial said the service reminded him to be thankful for people — including firefighters and police officers — who protect their fellow Americans from harm.
Maxfield said he believes that Americans are in danger of losing their sense of pride in their country.
"We lose that a lot because we don't emphasize things like this, because some people want to forget these types of things," he said. "This hurt, and we want to forget it.
"But sometimes we heal from our hurt and become stronger from it."
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
When Bud Maxfield arrived at Wright Park Friday evening, he saw three familiar icons in Liberty Garden.
A chunk of limestone from the Pentagon. A piece of twisted steel from the World Trade Center. Another piece of limestone, this from the Flight 93 crash site near Shanksville, Pa.
Those reminders of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States formed the backdrop for Friday's 9/11 memorial service, which honored the victims of those attacks.
For some, those icons evoke memories of a painful day that they'd rather forget.
Maxfield acknowledged the horror of that day, summed up in those pieces of the past. But he said they also symbolize America's strength in the face of tragedy.
"When you stand here and look at that and think back to what was on TV eight years ago tonight, it just crushes you inside," he said. "I think it gives you some fortitude to say, 'Let's don't let this happen again. Let's stay and watch a little closer.'"
Maxfield and about 49 other members of the Patriot Guard participated in the service, which drew a crowd of observers to Wright Park. Armed with large American flags, the Patriot Guard riders surrounded Liberty Garden during the service.
As in years past, the ceremony included some familiar rituals.
Police Chief John Ball and Sheriff Dean Bush placed a wreath at the foot of a pedestal, which bore the steel from the World Trade Center. A few minutes later, Dodge City Fire Department Capt. Mark Elder tolled a fire bell to honor the firefighters who sacrificed their lives to save others.
Together, those rituals conveyed a timeless message: Never forget.
Dodge City resident Tim Dial, who watched the service from the sidelines, said he believes the memory of the Sept. 11 attacks has faded for many Americans.
"I think it's important to remember what happened on that day and just get together with other people who feel the same way," he said.
Dial said the service reminded him to be thankful for people — including firefighters and police officers — who protect their fellow Americans from harm.
Maxfield said he believes that Americans are in danger of losing their sense of pride in their country.
"We lose that a lot because we don't emphasize things like this, because some people want to forget these types of things," he said. "This hurt, and we want to forget it.
"But sometimes we heal from our hurt and become stronger from it."
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
