Local boy scout and cub scout troops, with the help of the Indiana State Police Color Guard, led the ceremony in the Pledge of Allegiance.

WARSAW — Members of the 9/11 Memorial Remembrance Committee hosted its 18th commemoration of the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, Wednesday night at Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw.

Mike Cox, Kosciusko County 9/11 Memorial Remembrance Committee member, began the ceremony by reminding everyone of that day’s tragic events.

“Eighteen years — in the fast pace of today’s world it seems like it’s getting easier to push tragedy away from us,” began Cox. “Now after 18 years, that terrible murder of nearly 3,000 people is being pushed from our memories … We believe that at least once a year, we all need to be reminded of these tragedies so that we can be vigilant and do our best to avoid similar future tragedies.”

The featured speaker this year was Tinisha Weigelt, district director for Congressman Jim Banks, who represents a part of Kosciusko County in Washington, D.C. “Like many here, I will never forget the shock and terror that rippled through our lives,” said Weigelt.

Weigelt explained that Banks was unable to attend the event because he was in Washington D.C. But, he did write a letter to be read at the ceremony.

“We gather today in solemn remembrance of one of the most horrific tragedies in American history,” read the letter. “Eighteen years ago today, radical Islamic terrorists attacked our great nation, killing nearly 3,000 of our fellow Americans. These attacks were cowardly, evil and intended to destroy the values on which this great country was founded.”

The letter continued, “However, in the midst of sadness and uncertainty, there was hope and heroism. Our country’s exceptional character was displayed and the extraordinary actions taken by ordinary Americans that day. Thousands of emergency personnel risked their lives and hundreds gave their lives in defense and aid to their fellow countrymen. We came together unified at that time, boldly proclaimed that we would not sit by and allow our nation to be torn down. Nearly two decades later, we continue to honor the heroes and victims of 9/11 … Now, more than ever, we refuse to be divided by those who seek to destroy us.”

Along with the keynote message, the ceremony included patriotic performances by local residents. Emergency Management Director Ed Rock and Warsaw Police Department Detective Sergeant Brad Keller both sang songs written about the tragic events of 9/11.

After the event, everyone was invited to gather at the 9/11 memorial for a closing prayer and moment of silence.

After the ceremony, everyone was encouraged to gather around the 9/11 memorial for a moment of silence.