Sue Sitter/PCT A small group of Rugby residents and first responders from the Rugby Police Department and Pierce County Sheriff’s Office listen to a speech given by John Gustafson, center, at Memorial Hall. Members of the Rugby Clarence Larson American Legion Post 23 stand with the colors near the building.

A small group of veterans from Rugby’s Clarence Larson Post 23 gathered at Memorial Hall with Pierce County Sheriff Josh Siegler, Rugby Police Chief John Rose and Rugby residents to remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

With a slight chill in the Saturday morning air, the September 11, 2021 ceremony began at 8:30 a.m., the approximate time when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center 20 years before.

Minutes later on that fateful day, a second plane would hit the second tower of the World Trade Center before a third would crash into the Pentagon. A fourth plane would crash in Shanksville, Penn., after passengers fought to wrest it from the control of four hijackers. In total, more than 2,900 lives would be lost that day.

John Gustafson, public relations representative for the post, gave a speech recalling the events of 9-11, also known as Patriot Day.

Gustafson described how day’s events changed lives forever. “They would not imagine that a day that had started out normal would end up being far from it,” Gustafson said of those who were affected by the terror attack.

“The whole event seemed surreal, like a bad dream,” Gustafson added. “Then, we received word of the attack on the Pentagon and foiled attempt to crash another plane at another destination,” he said, describing the crash of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. “We will always remember where we were and what we were doing as the events unfolded on that particular day. Two thousand, nine hundred and ninety-six died that day and many others died as a result of their exposure to the smoke.”

“We are gathered here today to remember those who gave their all,” Gustafson added.

The ceremony included a special salute to the first responders who lost their lives that day, as well as those who serve their communities today.

Pastor Mike Lundberg offered a closing prayer to remember the fallen.

Members of the post’s color guard fired three rounds from four guns to honor the fallen. Post member Sheila Ostrem played Taps on a bugle.

At the close of the somber ceremony, Gustafson said, “God bless all of you and God bless the USA.”