Portage Remembers 9/11 and the Day After

As Portage gathered on Friday morning for a 25th-anniversary remembrance ceremony of 9/11, Mayor Austin Bonta and Assistant Police Chief Ted Uzelac reflected on both September 11 and the spirit of the following day, September 12, 2001. They emphasized remembering not only the tragic events but also the unity that followed.

Bonta recalled a conversation with a high school student who asked if the unity after a recent storm in Portage mirrored the national spirit after the 9/11 attacks. Bonta affirmed this, highlighting how the nation came together to support the victims and each other in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the failed attack that led to a crash in Pennsylvania.

Uzelac spoke about the importance of teaching younger generations about both the attacks and the subsequent response. He stated, “If we remember the loss, we miss the deeper truth of that day.” He stressed the American capability for selfless service and unity during critical times.

The Portage High School JROTC honor guard participated by presenting colors during the event. Uzelac reminisced about the heroic efforts on that day. Firefighters, police, and office workers risked their lives to assist others. Flight attendants and passengers on United 93 bravely attempted to thwart the hijackers. Military personnel at the Pentagon and ordinary people in New York became first responders.

Uzelac noted that these individuals weren’t superheroes but regular people who made courageous choices. Many sacrificed their lives or endured lasting scars. For a brief period, the nation was united, showing solidarity. He described how flags were displayed on porches, blood banks received lines of donors, and communities gathered for vigils. People from diverse backgrounds stood united, despite political differences.

Uzelac explained that unity is not the lack of disagreement but treating one another respectfully despite differences. He emphasized that the nation’s strength lies in the willingness of ordinary people to support each other in tough times.

Myers Elementary Principal Jon Evers participated by bringing students to plant pinwheels at the observance site. He compared the spinning pinwheels to unity and peace. Evers, who was in ninth grade during the 9/11 attacks, noted the lasting impact of that day.

Mayor Bonta shared his own memory of September 11, 2001, when he was a fifth-grader attending Mass. He and his classmates watched the news unfold on television. Uzelac was at the police station and later deployed to Iraq, providing security during elections and witnessing the determination of people eager to vote.

Portage firefighter Tyler Rosenbaum shared a moment with his son by observing a piece of the World Trade Center, highlighting the connection to history. Uzelac recalled meeting retired firefighter Chuck Litzkow in Iraq, both serving in military units.

Fire Chief Chris Crail, then a probationary firefighter, remembered considering Portage’s proximity to possible targets in Chicago. Retired Fire Chief Randy Wilkening recounted the eerie quiet of the city that day, accompanied by frantic actions like gas lines forming due to fears about price hikes.

Reflecting on the day, retired Chief Wilkening recalled, “That was a day like no other.” The commemoration was a reminder of the enduring spirit and unity observed on September 12, 2001, following the tragedy.