Residents line both sides of Main Street Wednesday morning during Luverne's observance of the Sept. 11 one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America.
By Lori Ehde
More than two solid blocks on both sides of Luverne's Main Street were lined with people holding hands Wednesday morning.
It was Luverne's way of observing the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Local church bells tolled at 7:45, 8:03, 8:43 and 9 a.m. to note the four separate plane attacks on the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and the crash in Pennsylvania.
After the last bell tolled, the street fell silent for a few moments, and "Taps" played over a loud speaker.
After that, everyone went back to work or home.
"We just wanted to give people an opportunity for personal reflection," said Chamber Director Dave Smith. "It just gave them a couple minutes out of their day to remember what happened a year ago."
Luverne's observance was just one of millions scheduled in communities nationwide, since Congress passed a public law designating Sept. 11 "Patriot Day."
The American Legion national observance of Patriot Day followed the theme, "We will remember."
In Hardwick, the Legion hosted a program at noon Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the Legion Hall.
The ceremony included representatives from local law enforcement and fire department.
Area public schools observed the day with their own ceremonies.
The Rock County Ministerial Association organized a community prayer service at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, in the Christian Reformed Church, Luverne.
Several pastors from local churches led petitions that individually focused on prayers for peace around the world, for government and military leaders, for victims, for enemies, for respect among religions and for our community.
Churches participated in bell ringing in both Hardwick and Luverne.
"Each time a bell rings on this day, a chord will strike in our hearts as we remember the sadness of the attacks and thank God for allowing us to remain a strong nation through all of this," the Legion said in a statement issued last week.
"This ceremony will help us all to remember the sacrifices of those who died on Sept. 11."