Never forget
Arlee Fire Department remembers 9/11 with flag raising
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ARLEE — In 1971, Jim Malatare worked in Seattle on the steel structures that became the World Trade Centers. Malatare said they were shipped from Seattle to New York by rail with the idea these buildings could withstand anything from wind to earthquakes.
“When you build these things with all the heavy steel you would think they would never come down,” he said.
Thirty years later Malatare was devastated when he watched something he helped build claim so many lives.
“I saw it on the television and it was unreal,” Malatare said. “I never had the chance to see the finished project but I always wondered if I could find my welding stamp number 44.”
Malatare and over a hundred others came together at the Arlee Volunteer Fire Department on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 to pay homage to the more than 3,000 lives lost that day.
The memorial event included an opening prayer, rifle salute and a moment of silence. Followed by speeches and an open house, the flag raising was the first for the fire station since it opened last year.
“We are 10 years into our lives and mourn how their lives were cut short by an unspeakable act of violence,” Fire Chief and event organizer Ken Light said in his speech. “If those who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf could speak I think they would say to us have a good life and have a good time. To them I say we will not forget.”
“The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were not intended to only bring down a couple of buildings, no,” District Commander for the American Legion Lee Heser wrote in a letter read at the event. “It was intended to bring down this idea of patriotism, this grand devotion to one’s nation. In bringing down the buildings, the terrorists succeeded. However, in bringing down the idea, they failed miserably.”
Also in attendance was the Mission Honor Guard, Arlee post of the American Legion, Arlee Fire Department and board members, Nkwusm drum group and community groups and citizens.
Light said the department has been working on the flagpole project outside of the fire hall and decided to incorporate the anniversary of 9/11 for the first flag raising.
“It was the first flag raising, we didn’t even practice,” Light said. “We even had a little breeze.”
A plaque sits below the flagpole that reads “9.11.2011 343” to commemorate the number of firefighters and EMTs that were killed.
“We thought the theme should be the firefighters and EMTs that died because that’s our brothers and sisters,” Light said. “We wanted to think of the 343, the people who did the same kind of thing we do.”
A veteran of the Vietnam War, Light remembers 10 years ago watching the television as the second airplane hit the tower.
“Like a lot of other people I watched it live on TV, it was unbelievable, mind-blowing,” Light said. “I couldn’t keep my eyes off the TV.”
Many still can’t believe it has been 10 years since they watched the towers fall on television.
Assistant Chief Dane Morigeau was at the Arlee Fitness Center when he saw the second tower fall on television.
“It doesn’t feel like 10 years,” Morigeau said. “This event is important because it shows people we are connected and we’re one. With the support of everybody it’s easier to get through hard times.”
