‘They are the true sense of the word hero’: St. George remembers 9/11

Written by Nick Yamashita
September 10, 2023

ST. GEORGE — The first responder communities from St. George and surrounding municipalities paid their respects Saturday morning to the emergency responders of 22 years ago in “the true sense of the word hero.” The festivities occured during the annual St. George 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in Town Square Park.

A young boy walks amongst the flags in the Field of Heroes memorializing those first responders who died in the line of duty on 9/11, St. George, Utah, Sept. 9, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

“I didn’t think it was possible, but to keep a lawyer speechless is amazing,” keynote speaker Victor Guzman said, in regards to the patriotism shown at the event by more than 300 attendees.

Guzman survived the tragedy of the collapse of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center Complex. He was on the 85th floor of one of the towers, and each tower was 110 stories.

He relayed the harrowing experience of escaping the building before it collapsed. He talked about the emotions, the fears of others, the sounds of crunching glass and steel, the dust from the buildings and the pungent smell of jet fuel.

But he also spoke of the kindness of people, the love of others and the bravery of the first responders who rushed towards the destruction instead of fleeing.

“To everyone else and the lives they (first responders) have touched, they are the true sense of the word hero,” he said.

Guzman was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In 1995, he graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. He lives in Middletown, New York, with his wife and five children and is an assistant attorney for Orange County.

Guzman spoke kindly to the youth, as he was impressed at their desire to be patriotic and learn of the 9/11 history.

“I want you to understand that you are among heroes,” he said.

Afterward the ceremony, he told St. George News the patriotism was really expressive and visibly present in Southern Utah. In New York, the signs of the nation’s most tragic event on American soil seem to be fading, he said.

On Sept. 11, 2001, two hijacked airplanes flew into the Twin Towers while a third plane flew into the Pentagon. A fourth plane crashed into an open field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back against the hijackers. It was the most devastating attack against the United States in history, resulting in 2,977 people killed, excluding the 19 hijackers that died. It was even more deadly than the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 which resulted in 2,403 people killed.

9/11 survivor and keynote speaker Juan Guzman told the youth to appreciate the first responders as heroes, St. George, Utah, Sept. 9, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Guzman said the “Field of Heroes” was the first field of flags he had been in for years. “The Field of Heroes” was where the flags were standing representing the 412 first responders who died on that day.

“I haven’t felt more American than when I came to St. George and I mean that with all of my heart,” he said.

Before the keynote speaker, the three representative firefighters of St. George Fire and Rescue participated in the solemn tolling of the fire bell to symbolize and honor the key events of Sept. 11, the five tragedies that took place that day.

The first ring represents Flight 11 hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center Complex at 8:46 a.m. The second ring represents Flight 175 crashing into the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. The third ring, Flight 77 collides with the Pentagon. The fourth ring, United 93 crashes into the ground by Shansville, Penns. at 10:02 a.m. The fifth and final ring of the bell is for the collapse of the North Tower at 10:28 a.m.

The Lava Heights Intermediate and Dixie High School choirs performed “We Remember” and “God Bless America.”

Also present were the American Legion Post 90 veterans, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the American Revolution, United We Pledge, the St. George Exchange Club — all supporting Patriot Day: Remembering 9/11.

Firefighters pay their respects by participating in the ceremonial five rings of the bell, St. George, Utah, Sept. 9, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Kids were able to ride the park carousel for free and tour the first responder vehicles and helicopter. Water and flags were given out to all who were in need.

First responder agencies present included St. George Fire, St. George Police, Washington City Fire, Washington City Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Hurricane Fire, Dammeron Valley Fire, Pine Valley Fire, Utah Department of Public Safety and Utah Tech University Police.

At the end of the ceremony, all attendees were led by bagpipes on a memorial march to the Field of Heroes, where first responders were first to enter the area where red, white and blue emblems waved in the breeze. They paid their respects while “Amazing Grace” played.

When the music finished, everyone, the youth took their turn to walk amongst the emblems and in solemn silence pay their respect to those who showed on that tragic, yet inspirational day the true sense of being a hero.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Yamashita has extensive experience reporting for small town media, covering a variety of subjects and events for The Virgin River Times and The Progress in Southern Nevada. Before a career in journalism, he worked a variety of jobs in criminal justice systems. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in scholarly articles and poetry compilations. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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