Courtesy Photo | Members of the North Dakota Army National Guard Honor Platoon raise the U.S. flag to...... read more read more
BISMARCK, N.D. - About 600 people gathered here Sept. 11 for the dedication of the "North Dakota Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism." The ceremony began at 9:37 a.m., to coincide with the time that an American Airlines Boeing 757 struck the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
The North Dakota Patriot Guard kicked off the ceremony with a "ride-in" with about 100
motorcycles.
The memorial is located outside the main gate of the North Dakota National Guard headquarters at Fraine Barracks, which is near the west entrance of the Liberty Memorial Bridge. The bridge also honors veterans, recognizing all branches of the military and those who serve our country. Both the newly dedicated memorial and the bridge stand as daily reminders of the sacrifices American men and women in uniform have made for our state and country. The memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day.
Gov. John Hoeven, Bismarck Mayor John Warford, Maj. Gen. Dave Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general, and Bismarck City Commissioner Steve Schwab spoke during the dedication. Dina Ferderer, of New Salem, N.D., the mother of Spc. Dennis 'D.J.' Ferderer, Jr., whose name is included on the memorial, spoke on behalf of the Families of the fallen. Bismarck City Commissioner Connie Sprynczynatyk served as emcee for the ceremony.
"The memorial stands as a measure of our gratitude and support for the brave Soldiers and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terrorism," Hoeven said. "These Soldiers saw it as their duty to defend their country and the thousands of innocent victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. Now, it is our duty to forever honor their service and to remember their lives."
This memorial honors the 21 North Dakotans who were killed in the Global War on Terrorism.
One by one, representatives of the family of the fallen placed a set of I.D. tags for each of the fallen service members on the memorial's centerpiece which preceded the 21-gun salute. This centerpiece is designed in the traditional memorial arrangement of a helmet mounted on an inverted M-4 rifle along with a pair of boots. More than 80 family members of the fallen
attended the ceremony.
A joint venture between the City of Bismarck and the North Dakota National Guard, the memorial was made possible by the kindness and generosity of individuals and businesses throughout North Dakota and across United States.
"As a result, we now have a cherished memorial where all can reflect and remember the ultimate gift of freedom given through their love and service," Warford said.
The Bismarck community expressed a desire to recognize those who gave their lives during the War on Terrorism. Consequently, city and National Guard officials worked jointly to consider various concepts, the final of which was designed by Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson of Bismarck and constructed by various donors and volunteers. The charter was to develop an enduring memorial that would serve as a place of peace and solitude for Families and friends of the fallen, and a place of dignity for community members to reflect on the lives and sacrifice of our fallen heroes.
Color guards, assembled behind the memorial during the ceremony, were provided by the United States Army Reserve, AMVETS Community Honor Guard, AMVETS Auxiliary Color Guard Post 9, Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts 707, 1326, and 9061; American Legion Post 40, and the Civil Air Patrol's Bismarck Composite Squadron. Missy Mosbrucker, of Mandan, N.D., sang the national
anthem, the North Dakota Army National Guard Honor Platoon fired a 21-gun salute and Century High School band members Pvt. Matthew Gerenz, who joined the North Dakota Army National Guard last September, and Dillon Parker were dressed in patriot uniforms to play Taps in Echo as the final salute of the program.
In addition to the motorcycles that began the ceremony here in Bismarck, dozens of North Dakota Patriot Guard members simultaneously took to the streets with their motorcycles in other cities in North Dakota at exactly 9:37 a.m. to help honor and commemorate the dedication of this memorial. The dedication ceremony was broadcasted live via webcam.
"This memorial is a perpetual reminder of the fallen - true patriots in every way. We will never forget their service to this country, and we will never forget the sacrifices they and their families have made," Sprynczynatyk said during the ceremony. "I thank everyone who helped make this memorial a reality. I especially thank the City of Bismarck for partnering with our National Guard to develop a beautiful and peaceful monument to our fallen heroes."
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2009 18:11 |
| Story ID: | 38627 |
| Location: | BISMARCK, US |
| Web Views: | 373 |
| Downloads: | 185 |
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