Woodridge Honors 10-Year Anniversary at 9/11 Memorial Service

Twenty-nine minutes.

That was the time between the collapse of the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and the collapse of the North Tower.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks, Woodridge held to that timeframe, starting its memorial at 8:59 a.m., the time the South Tower fell, and ending it at 9:28 a.m., when the North Tower fell.

The Honor Guard hosted the memorial service at the village's Towne Center.  

The ceremony started with a greeting from Chief Steve Herron and the raising of the flag to half staff with the choir leading the attendants in the National Anthem.  

Woodridge Police Chief Steve Herron then walked the audience through the timeline of events that took place on September 11, 2001, as well as a by-the-numbers reminder of all the lives on that day in New York City.  

There were three important things we learned that day, Herron said:

• We have to be aware of our surroundings.
• Call police if there is anything suspicious in our neighborhoods.
• Emergency responders need to be able to communicate over radio with each other.

So many firefighters and police officers died that day because they were unable to speak with one another, Herron said. It's a common situation, he said.

Police departments and fire departments previously communicated via several department-specific radio frequencies.

By May 2012, all first responders in DuPage County will be able to communicate interchangeably via radio to ensure their ability to work together in an emergency situation.

Mayor William F. Murphy then addressed the crowd, reminding residents that 9/11 did not tear the United States apart as the terrorists had hoped, but brought us together.

"We shared in tragedy on 9/11 and there was an unprecedented historic bonding of Americans," Murphy said.  "Three thousand children lost their parents that day. That's the same number of children we have in and all the public schools here in Woodridge."

Murphy reminded the community to remain united and to never forget the tragedies from that fateful day.

State Senator Christine Radogno and Illinois State Representative Emily McAsey also spoke at the ceremony.

Radogno said she is proud of our country and how the U.S. came together for a common cause.

"We have the best country in the entire world because of the collective efforts of everyone," she said. 

McAsey implored the audience to never forget 9/11 and to recognize those in our community who put their lives on the line every day.

"We must never forget those 2,983 people who suddenly lost their lives that day," McAsey said. "We remember the resulting national unity, common sense of purpose and common pride.  Thank you to all the heroes in uniform right now who protect our community."

The speeches were followed by a 21-gun salute by the Honor Guard and Taps, played by Chris Johnson on the trumpet.

The ceremony was organized by Deputy Chief Ken Boehm and Woodridge Police Officer Tom Hogan, who have been working on the memorial since last year.