PEORIA, Ill. – A vow to never forget was part of Peoria’s remembrance of the September 11th attacks, 25 years to the day after they occurred.
The Riverfront Museum hosted the 9/11 remembrance ceremony on its plaza. The ceremony featured a presentation of colors by the Peoria Fire Department Honor Guard, an invocation by Bishop Louis Tylka, the playing of Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” by the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and a ringing of bells to honor the fallen firefighters of that tragic day.
The Richwoods High School Choral Ensemble sang the national anthem. It was fitting as the ceremony recognized and honored the only Peoria-native who died in the attacks, Charles “Chip” Chan, a graduate of Richwoods.
Chan worked as a currency and bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald, working in the 105th floor of the North Tower. He was 23 years old the day of the attacks.
A wreath was laid during the ceremony by Chip’s parents, as well as Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger.
Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon, a classmate of Chip’s, remembered and honored Chip during the ceremony.
“He was really funny, he was liked by everybody, and he was always, always smiling,” Dixon said.
Dixon says Chip served as a reminder that everyone who died on those days were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors.
Dixon says September 11th is more than just a day in history, it’s a responsibility. He says it’s a reminder of why police officers put on the uniform, with first responders understanding each day what they may be called upon to do. But Dixon says they know what needs to be done to protect and save lives, with thousands answering the call on September 11th.
Dixon says the reason people come together to remember is not to remain in the past, but refusing to let the past be forgotten, and to teach previous generations the price that was paid that day. He says the way to honor those lost on September 11th is to remember not just their names, but their values.
Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger told the crowd that, even though 25 days have passed, the memories of that day are still etched into people’s memories. But he says the bravery and courage of the first responders that day, including the 343 New York firefighters lost, rose to the occasion.
“When the towers fell, and the unimaginable unfolded, ordinary men and women did something extraordinary,” Sollberger said. “They headed directly into the fire. They went to work knowing the risks, driven by their sacred oath, in an unwavering commitment to save others.”
Sollberger says the nation was tested on September 11th, but it was not broken. He recalls the unity of the American spirit, where communities came together and first responders answered the call. Sollberger the best way to honor the fallen is to stand united in the face of adversity, serving communities, and caring for the families they left behind.
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary and Congressman Ray LaHood was another featured speaker at the ceremony, calling it a sad day but a day of celebration for the community, as well as lifting up the Chan family.
LaHood was a U.S. Representative during the September 11th attacks. On that day, LaHood recalls being on his way to the Capitol to preside over the House, and Capitol Hill police were making sure people were leaving and telling them that a plane was potentially on its way to the Capitol.
LaHood recalls hearing the “sonic boom” and black smoke covering Washington D.C. after the Defense Department was attacked, and knowing then that the country was under attack. He remembers leaving the Capitol that day, being unsure of what was happening.
LaHood says a message was received that night, asking to gather on the steps of the Capitol the next morning with Congressional leadership. He says House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and the gathered Congressmen, sent a message from those steps.
“Their message was no one is going to shut down the U.S. government, no one is going to shut down Congress, we are going to continue. This will not prevent us from doing our work,” LaHood told the crowd.
At the end of the speeches, LaHood recalls everyone singing “God Bless America,” creating a moment of unity that he had never seen before.
In the days after, LaHood says he came back to central Illinois for only one reason, to reassure everyone that the country was safe. He did that with visits to Norwood School and Peoria Notre Dame High School.
Riverfront Museum President and CEO John Morris closed out the ceremony, urging people to remember. He also urged people to come together and unite, just like they did in the days after the attacks.
“We were not political parties, we were not creeds or colors, or divided along faith, or age,” Morris said. “We were in that moment, and still are, Americans.”
Morris also announced a permanent endowment fund to remember 9/11 in honor of Chip.
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