A special ceremony today on the state capitol grounds honored the Iowans who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. A man from Newton and three folks who grew up in Iowa are among the nearly three thousand casualties that day. Governor Tom Vilsack honored those Iowans who were the first casualties in a war he says has changed our world. Vilsack says our hearts go out to the victims and their families.Vilsack has declared September 11th as “Patriot Day” — as well as “Everyday Hero Recognition Day.” Vilsack says September 11th was a day of horror, but also a day of heroism, giving Americans a new meaning for the word hero.Vilsack says the “everyday heroes” of September 11th committed their lives to something larger than themselves.Vilsack says September 11th only makes sense if we collectively honor the real heroes in our country and be inspired by them.A State of Iowa flag which flew on a construction crane at Ground Zero was raised today on the statehouse grounds. Construction workers touched by the work of the 85 Iowans who went to New York and New Jersey in “crisis response teams” to offer counseling flew the Iowa flag over the World Trade Center ruins. Alison Whall organized the teams.Whall says the Iowans offered hands to hold and shoulders to cry on and gave hope to those affected by the tragedy that one day the healing would begin.
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