It was a small crowd that showed up Friday, Sept. 11 to Soo Line Park in Stanley for the 25th Anniversary of 9/11.
Taking place at 6 p.m., the ceremony commemorating 9/11 was preceded earlier in the day with VFW and Legion poppy distribution by the Legion and VFW at Kwik Trip, Hansen’s IGA, and Cenex. Poppy distribution allows community members to make a donation in exchange for a poppy made by disabled vets, funding VFW and Legion activities and contributions to the community. Distribution said to have gone well, with approximately $600 raised to be reinvested in the community.
As for the ceremony, a small crowd gathered at 6 p.m. in Soo Line Park.
The more informal ceremony was opened by local veteran Bruce Wozniak, who served in the Global Ward on Terror, among other deployments.
Wozniak shared the social media post of a friend named Devin Draeger of Taylor County, who was in eighth grade when 9/11 happened and went on to serve in the U.S. military.
Draeger shared memories of that day.
“8th grade Mrs. Gingras’ class,” he said. “We were getting ready to change classes and she comes running in from the hallway and does a flying leap up to hit the power button on the TV. We were confused and they were saying a plane had went off course and hit the Trade Center. About 10 seconds later the second plan hit and we knew is was no accident.
This image was burned into my memory forever. I remember a lot of confusion. Quite a few teachers and kids were scared, and at one point two friends and myself were getting a little teary in the hallway and a teacher thought we were scared. He was quite taken aback when he found out we were that enraged and the tears were frustration that we were too young, we were going to miss out on paying back whoever was responsible. The three of us did make it. Approximately 4.7 million people served during the entirety of the Global War on Terror.”
Wozniak said he thought the post was appropriate.
“I think that’s probably the most appropriate thing I’ve heard all day in each piece I’ve been listening,” he said. “And I served with a lot of these young guys.”
Wozniak was followed with remarks by Niedzwiecki, who shared the growing issue of veteran suicide.
“Veteran suicide is becoming increasingly prevalent since the global war on Terrorism,” Niedzwiecki said. “Almost 35,000 people. We only lost 7,500 in combat. To me, that is a problem.” Figures released earlier this year showed 6,398 veteran suicides in 2023, down slightly from 6,442 veteran suicides in 2022. The leading cause of veteran suicides is firearms, with numbers per 100,000 rising for both male and female veterans in 2023 relative to previous years. Risk factors identified in a report by the Department of Veterans Affairs include health problems, homelessness, and pain. According to Stop Soldier Suicide, veterans face a 58 percent higher risk of suicide than the general population. A full 61 percent of those who died by suicide in 2023 had not been in recent VA care, meaning that addressing care access and belonging as well as using evidence based treatments applied at scale with time and commitment are key to reducing veteran suicides. Veterans can receive confidential crisis support by dialing 988 and pressing one, as well as texting 838255. The call is free and confidential, with veterans deciding how much they share. Responders can then connect veterans with resources that can help when in distress. More information and help can be found at www.veteranscrisisline.net.
The brief ceremony to remember 9/11 then proceeded to a pray by veteran Ed Staib.
“Heavenly Father, we take this time to remember those lives who were lost in this nation 25 years ago as a result of the attacks in New York, Washington, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania,” Staib said. “We pray that they may rest in peace. Merciful God, Father of us all, we ask your blessing on all the family members and friends of those lost due to this tragedy. May all be blessed in body, mind, and spirit. We are mindful of the firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who rushed into buildings and put their lives on the line, not caring for self, but thinking only of others. We also keep in mind the military who lost their lives in the conflict that followed this event, and those who just to this day are dealing with demons in their minds and bodies and who see no way out of their physical and emotional scarring but to take their own life. We ask that you strengthen and comfort the families left behind. May we be ever mindful of this event, as well as the short and long term consequences it has done to families and friends. May we now take a moment of silence to remember the impact on our nation, our state, and our community. May God Bless. May God our Father bless and may God continue to bless America.”
Following the prayer by Staib a rifle salute was made, after which the company fell out and disbanded.