In a solemn display of patriotism, hundreds of people lined the Naperville Riverwalk Sunday afternoon to witness the city’s annual 9/11 remembrance.
In addition to residents, veterans and local officials, attendees included the family of Dan Shanower, a Navy intelligence officer from Naperville who was killed in the terrorist attacks on Sep. 11, 2001.
Speaking from a podium at the 9/11 memorial along the Riverwalk behind city hall, keynote speaker Thomas Shanower told the crowd that his late brother had great plans before his life was cut short when a hijacked airliner struck the Pentagon building that fateful day.
“He had a sense of adventure,” Shanower said. “He wanted to take a motor boat trip up the Mekong River to China. He was writing a screenplay. For Dan and all the victims, what we mourn today is the lost potential and the opportunity to see what they might have become.”
Clad in their finest dress uniforms, police and fire department officials presented the colors, after which Mayor Steve Chirico led the Pledge of Allegiance. Following the singing of the national anthem, the American flag was hoisted and then lowered to half-staff.
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The Rev. Grace Imathieu of Community United Methodist Church delivered an invocation and firefighters then tolled bells in honor of lost responders.
“We can’t erase what happened,” Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis told the crowd. “But we can endure, revitalize and emerge stronger.”
Shanower family members placed a wreath at the memorial as a dozen white doves were released to fly away into the afternoon sky.
“It’s nice that the Naperville community can come together like this and have the shared experience,” said Jodi Buettner, of Naperville. “I remember everything about the morning it happened. I was teaching first grade and out on the playground when another teacher came up and told me.”
“It’s important that we remember today’s date, especially since we lost a Naperville citizen in the attacks,” said World War II veteran George Hogrewe of Naperville.
Vietnam veteran Russ Petry of Naperville said he believed Naperville is the most patriotic town in the country.
“We have so many great celebrations and remembrances, like Thanksgiving, Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day,” he said. “Our VFW and American Legion have won awards for being the best of the best.”
“It’s important to not only commemorate this day, to remember those who perished and gave their lives, but also that we remain vigilant and not lose sight that today’s world can be a dangerous place,” said 21st Dist. State Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Lisle).
Chirico reminded the crowd: “As time passes, it becomes more important to teach the next generation what happened on Sep. 11, 2001. Freedom isn’t free, as Commander Shanower said. We need to take these words to heart.”
Shanower said terrorism now occurs so frequently that people can forget past acts as new ones take their place.
“The thing that makes terrorism so terrifying is that it occurs so randomly,” he said. “I ask myself what I can do to contribute to my own safety and security. The first thing is to be engaged in the world and understand what’s going on. We also must be more accepting and understanding.
“If our hearts are filled with hatred and bigotry, then we’ve become our enemies. The third thing is to become involved in making the world a better place. The fourth thing is to be a little more patient, for example, with security people at airports.”
The memorial service concluded with a lone bugler playing ‘Taps.’
Gary Gibula is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.