A 20-year reflection of September 11

The horrors of September 11, 2001 are forever etched in the memories of those old enough to remember the events of that infamous day. Twenty years later, many of our children are in school learning about the al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the United States. We watched in disbelief as New York City’s World Trade Center Towers collapsed to the ground, and as fire and smoke rose from the Pentagon building in Arlington County, Virginia, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
At Camp Ripley, near Little Falls, Minnesota, around 100 members of law enforcement from across the country were attending an honor guard camp on September 11, 2001. Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson was an instructor at the camp and vividly remembers the silence that fell among the group as they watched the attacks unfold.
“Some of our Honor Guard teams were beginning to quickly pack and were being summoned back home for the unknown horrifying possibilities of more attacks across the country. When the Border Patrol teams left, we were hearing the information about grounding all commercial flights across the country and they were expecting to close all border crossings,” said Sheriff Torgerson. “Ultimately, we held a very shortened camp that year and followed it up with the one-year remembrance a year later at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.”
Like so many others, Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chair Stephanie Podulke remembers feeling numb, realizing there were homes and apartments, filled with children, spouses, parents, friends, and even pets, waiting that night for people who would never return.
“Our losses from 9/11 would be more profound than we could imagine. The loss of innocence and invulnerability we felt as a nation, coupled with the dreadful acceptance that there would be few survivors – Ground Zero was a tomb,” said Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chair Stephanie Podulke. “And still, volunteers showed up by the thousands, they lined up to donate blood for the hoped-for survivors, they housed the homeless, fed the hungry, counseled the grieving, and they sent equipment and men and women to clear the debris.”
The terrorist attacks resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, more than 25,000 injuries, and countless health issues for those who experienced the events firsthand. It also was the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in American history.
“While reflecting on 9/11, my memories bring me to an almost speechless state of amazement for what so many law enforcement, firefighters, and normal citizens did that day and the coming weeks to save the lives of people they never knew, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, and social status,” said Sheriff Torgerson. “We were all Americans! Everyone was a human being and so many sacrificed their lives for their fellow man. I’m hopeful all of us never forget that day.”
“We are grateful to all the first responders who then, and now, still rush toward danger while others are rushing away, who train and practice to rescue others. We put our lives in their hands daily. We will never forget,” said Commissioner Podulke.
In honor of the men, women, and children killed on September 11, 2001, the families left behind, and the efforts by first responders to protect citizens, events commemorating this day continue to take place across the United States. Listed below are local events that you may wish to take part in.
When: Friday, September 10, 2021, 6 p.m.
What: 9/11 Memorial Program
Where: Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial, 300 7th Street SW, Rochester
When: Saturday, September 11, 2021, 7:46 a.m.
What: 9/11 Memorial Program
Where: Rochester VFW, 2775 43rd St NW, Rochester
When: Saturday, September 11, 2021, 8:30 a.m.
What: 9/11 Memorial Program
Where: Pine Island American Legion, 108 1st Ave SE, Pine Island
When: Saturday, September 11, 2021, 1 p.m. (before RCTC Football game)
What: 9/11 Memorial Program
Where: Rochester Regional Stadium at RCTC, 851 30th Ave SE, Rochester