Fallon Marks 25 Years Since 9/11 Attacks

Fallon residents gathered in the City courtyard Sept. 11 to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, honor the nearly 3,000 people killed, and recognize the first responders and military members who answered the call to serve.

Fallon Mayor Kenneth Tedford led the remembrance ceremony, opening by thanking the community for coming together for the memorial.

The Mason Valley Fire Protection District bagpipers performed special music as Tedford took the podium to commemorate the anniversary and its importance to Fallon and the United States. Summer Stanton sang "God Bless America," and the Churchill County High School choir sang the national anthem.

Churchill County High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets presented the American and Nevada flags. Guest speaker Maj. Gen. D. Roger Waters of the Nevada National Guard addressed the crowd, explaining the importance of America remaining vigilant against future terrorist attacks on American soil.

Waters presented Dylan Tedford with the Nevada Medal of Merit for his meritorious service to Nevada and the Nevada National Guard, citing his outstanding leadership, strategic counsel, and dedication to interagency cooperation.

Picture below: Dylan Tedford received the Nevada Medal of Merit for his service to Nevada and the Nevada National Guard. 

Naval Air Station Fallon chief petty officer selectees conducted the Old Glory flag ceremony, narrated by Chief Select Justin M. Zacharias, and presented the flag to Mayor Tedford.

Mayor Tedford reminded the crowd that retired Public Works Director Jerry Mayfield was tasked with traveling to New York City shortly after the attacks to bring back a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. The steel was integrated into the 9/11 memorial in the City courtyard behind City Hall. The memorial, designed by architect Frank Woodliff III, was officially dedicated Sept. 11, 2002.

Mayor Tedford, Waters, Councilwomen Kelly Frost and Karla Kent, and Councilman Paul Harmon laid flowers at the memorial in remembrance of those who were killed and those who helped save lives. First responders from Fallon, Churchill County, and Naval Air Station Fallon also paid their respects. The public was then invited to lay flowers at the memorial.

On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 terrorists associated with al-Qaida, the terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden, hijacked four commercial passenger planes in a coordinated attack against the United States. The hijackers flew two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and a third into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Passengers and crew members aboard the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, fought back before it crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.