Retired Palatine firefighter/paramedic Mark Hallett gets emotional during the lowering of the American flag to half-staff during Monday’s Patriot Day remembrance ceremony Monday at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial. Hallett served from 1981-2011 and was the main speaker at the ceremony. (Paul Valade | Staff Photographer)
Suburban residents came together Monday to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
In Palatine, about 100 police officers, firefighters, public officials and residents gathered at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial downtown. Current and retired members of the Palatine Fire Department marched to the memorial from Fire Station 85, accompanied by the department’s Honor Guard.
“Today, we salute all the brave souls who selflessly gave their lives to save others,” Matt Hallett, a retired Palatine firefighter/paramedic, said during the ceremony. “We continue to mourn the people who were taken too soon from their husbands, their wives, their children and their friends. This day should always remind us that our lives are way too short and, unfortunately, can be taken away without any notice.”
Palatine Fire Department members and retirees march to the memorial site from Fire Station 85, accompanied by the Palatine Fire Department Honor Guard. (Paul Valade | Staff Photographer)
Elgin held its annual Patriot Day remembrance ceremony at the Hemmens Cultural Center.
The event featured a combined police and fire department honor guard to post the colors, prayers by chaplains from both departments, a performance of the national anthem by Larkin High School students at a rendition of “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes by Elgin police Sgt. Jim Lalley.
Mayor David Kaptain said that while the day honors those lost in the attacks, more people died in the aftermath. He added that many continue to suffer from health issues caused by the toxic, contaminated air following the twin towers’ collapse.
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