Kent 9/11 Ceremony Recognizes Both Good and Evil of Terrorist Attacks

Leaders of Kent's police, fire and religious organizations solemnly marked the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in a brief ceremony Thursday before a big-band performance in Home Savings Plaza.

The commemoration may have marked the deaths of thousands, but those who spoke also talked about the good things that came of that horrible day — unity and patriotism among them.

The Rev. David Pattee, of the , called the terrorist attacks an eruption of evil that still troubles the nation.

"We saw a hate and violence. We felt fear and grief," Pattee said. "We also saw on that horrible day an outpouring of great courage and caring, kindness and generosity, nowhere more clearly than the dedication and sacrifice of first responders who rushed into danger so that others could be saved."

Chief Michelle Lee pointed to the lessons learned in fighting terrorism that today help keep us safer from similar attacks.

"Our world has changed," she said. "Police work has changed, but it doesn’t necessarily mean for the worse."

Locally, Lee said since 9/11 the department dedicated an officer to a multi-jurisdictional terrorist task force. And Kent police re-evaluated how to protect the city's power sources, water supply, government buildings and communication devices. In a way, the attacks helped first responders learn how to better prevent and protect from the same kind of terror, she said.

"So while we continue to mourn the losses of our police, firefighters and other heroes of 9/11, take faith that their deaths were not in vain," Lee said. "Here in our town of Kent, we challenge ourselves daily to ensure the safety and security of everyone we serve."

Capt. Dave Manthey described firefighting not as a job but as a calling, and he said it's work they'll continue to do in the face of terrorism. He added that firefighters don't consider themselves heroes.

"We are your neighbors," Manthey said. "We go to your churches … and sometimes, we have a beer downtown.

"We will risk it all to keep others out of harm’s way," he said. "It’s what we do, and it’s who we are. On Sept. 11, 2001, 343 of my brothers paid the ultimate price for what we do."

Thursday's ceremony, which included performances by the Western Reserve Community Band, marked Kent's official commemoration of the terrorist attacks. It also included a litany read by several local religious leaders.

On Sunday, Montrose Mazda will host a with ceremonies performed by the Kent Fire Department Honor Guard and Kent American Legion.