20th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Held in Cashmere

The Spirit of America 20th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony in Cashmere on Saturday drew the largest attendance ever for the annual event to honor those who died September 11th, 2001. An audience estimated by organizers at approximately 1,000 heard a panel of speakers including the keynote address from David Beamer. His son Todd Beamer urged fellow passengers aboard United Flight 93 with the phrase "Lets' Roll" before they stormed the cabin to wrestle control of the plane back from the hijackers. The plane eventually went down in a field in Shanksville, PA instead of it's likely taget that day, the U.S. Capitol Building.

David Beamer reminded the audience the enemy is always planning to attack America's fundamental way of life, recounting the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and attacks on U.S. Marines in Beirut and the USS Cole in Yemen. Beamer said on September 11th, 2001, the 9/11 terrorists targeted the country's centers of commerce, military planning and representative form of government at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol Building.

Beamer asked the audience to remember his son Todd's words "Let's Roll" were "a call to action to do the right thing and to do it at the right time". He urged the audience to be on guard to threats to the country from socialism and terrorism.

John Jackson from Tenino, Washington and founder of the Spirit of America Foundation thanked the community for supporting the memorial project after state officials rejected the placement of a 9/11 monument at the State Capitol.

County Commissioner Bob Bugert read a proclamation the Board of Commissioners issued in 2015 when the 9/11 Memorial was dedicated. Bugert said the Board reaffirmed the proclamation earlier in the week. Former Chelan County Commissioner Tom Green, retired Army Reserve Officer and a Spirit of America Committee Board Member said "looking out today, I thought our 2015 dedication was big but this is bigger. It is inspiring to see all of you here, the first responders, the fire trucks, I don't have adequate words"

The Spirit of America Award was presented to David and Peggy Beamer who had decided to attend a 9/1 observance as a gesture of their gratitude to the Cashmere community. David Beamer said in a KPQ interview last week he and his wife usually "lay low" on the anniversary of 9/11 but after befriending Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos in recent years, were honored to attend the 20th Remembrance Ceremony in Cashmere. The couple also held a zoom conference with students at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Washington on Friday.

Chief Dave Walker with Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue said it's hard to comprehend it's been 20 years since the attacks. "We always remember they (first responders) made a sacrifice that day but what we remember them for is the service they provided every day before that. The dedication they had and the decisions they made every day before that day ever came so that's what the day means to me"

Saturday's ceremony concluded with a 21 gun salute by American Legion Post #10, Wenatchee and the playing of Taps by Washington State Patrol Sgt. Wynecoop. The Miss Veedol completed a flyover to close the ceremony