The Urbana community gathered at Freedom Grove earlier this morning to remember the lives lost during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and honor the first responders, military members and others who served in the aftermath.
The annual remembrance ceremony brought together local officials, first responders, military members, students and community members for a morning of reflection.
Guest speakers included Urbana Mayor Bill Bean, Champaign County Commissioner Nino Vitale, Champaign County Court of Common Pleas Judge MC and Taylor Armstrong.
The Urbana Junior High School eighth-grade class also attended the ceremony, giving students an opportunity to take part in the community’s remembrance.
Moments of silence were held throughout the morning to mark key moments from September 11th, including the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 and the collapses of both World Trade Center towers.
A special part of the remembrance at Freedom Grove is a piece of steel from the South Tower of the World Trade Center. The 12-foot section was recovered from Ground Zero and brought to Urbana through the efforts and support of many people in the community. The memorial artifact serves as a lasting reminder of the attacks and the lives lost, including Alicia Titus, a Champaign County native and United Airlines flight attendant who was killed aboard Flight 175 when it struck the South Tower.
Titus was 28 years old at the time of the attacks. Her aunt, Patti Fink, attended the ceremony as a special guest and spoke about Alicia.
Local first responders helped raise the flags at Freedom Grove, while members of the local VFW conducted a 21-gun salute and played Taps.
The ceremony also included a flyover by local pilot Jim Bob White, who flew a Vietnam-era O-2 Skymaster over Freedom Grove.
Flags across Urbana will remain on display through Sunday evening as the community continues to remember those lost on September 11th.
Twenty-five years later, the Freedom Grove ceremony served as a reminder of the lives lost and the lasting impact of September 11th.
