VFW 9/11 Event

 

MISHAWAKA, Ind -- The Mishawaka Veteran of Foreign Wars 360 Post held an event to honor what took place twenty years ago today and will give all of the proceeds to the local post.

In previous years the local Veteran's post would hold an event in August but says now they believe 9/11 is the date that needs to be remembered.

"I don’t want people to forget the sacrifices that our military, our first responders, the fire-fighters, the policeman, everything that they did for this country and for the freedom that they represent and the sacrifices of them and their families," said President of the VFW Auxiliary Jill Begeman.

Organizers of the event say they remember exactly what happened 20 years ago.

"I was home sick that day and I was on the couch. I had just turned the tv on and the second plane was just crashing into the towers and it just got me hard and then I kept it on and then I watched them collapse after that," said Senior vice president of the VFW Auxiliary Brooke Henry.

"I remember being in class and my teacher turning it on and watching the plane hit the second tower and I think I felt like numb," said Junior vice president of the VFW Auxiliary Elizabeth Begeman.

Even local veterans reminiscing on their memories of that day.

"I remember watching it on a tv at work and it happening and getting upset because there was nothing I could do about it at that time," said military veteran Jerome Rohyans.

Event organizers tell me that although today brings unfortunate memories they're focused on being positive and thankful for the heroes 20 years ago.

"I think they’re grateful and happy to be able to get out and celebrate the life’s we loss and celebrate the families that are still here to remember all of these people," said Henry.