Solemn remembrances in Eastern Iowa

As Sunday's cloudless blue sky turned to dusk, community members and leaders gathered in Iowa City to take a look back at the events that have unfolded since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, recognizing those who have made sacrifices for the nation.

At the event, which was organized by leaders of the Johnson County Consultation of Religious Organizations and the interfaith organization of Iowa City and Coralville, Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek said the anniversary would remain a solemn day that would encourage the community to come together in and honor the fallen.

University of Iowa President Sally Mason, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack and local religious leaders also took to the lectern to offer their respects to the victims of the attacks, and to emphasize the need for greater understanding across cultures.

“Sept. 11 evokes memories of where we were and memories of the thousands who died on that ironically beautiful September day,” Mason said. “Hopefully these memories will birth wisdom.”

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Iowa Veterans for Peace President Ed Flaherty said it's important to remember not only those who died in the attacks, but also the U.S. and international soldiers who have served since that day in the war on terror.

“We speak today of the imagines of Sept. 11 that are etched in our minds,” Flaherty said. “What we need to worry about is what we've done with those images of Sept. 11. I don't think the victims would want their loss to be used to usher in an era of perpetual war.”

The Rev. Mel Schlachter of Trinity Episcopal Church rounded out the evening's commentary before inviting the attendees to participate in a slow walk for peace around the park.

“We are blessed to have the diversity we have here (in Iowa City), and sometimes the peace we talk about (hoping to reach) takes courage,” Schlachter said. “We need to meet and go across real and imagined boundaries - so let us walk together.”

Earlier in the day, an anniversary ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids centered around the theme of “Remember, Reflect, Respect.”

The event included a three-round volley to honor the fallen police officers and the sounding of a bell thanking the firefighters who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

“It meant a lot,” said Patrick Hoyt, a second-year Cedar Rapids firefighter. “It solidified the togetherness that the brotherhood still feels as firefighters, police officers and any other civil servant out there.”

The event, sponsored by The Inter-Religious Council of Linn County, focused more on the future than the past as organizers asked those in attendance to accept people from all walks of life and religious backgrounds.

The keynote speaker and master of ceremonies was Imam Taha Tawil of the Mother Mosque of America in Cedar Rapids. His message of acceptance resonated with Jenny Bosking of Cedar Rapids, who brought her son Gunnar to the event.

“So powerful, and I think it sends a great message and about peace,” she said. “People need to be working together, making sure things like this don't happen again.”

To watch a replay of the Cedar Rapids ceremony, click here.

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