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Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial to host event on 21st anniversary of terrorist attacks | By Anne Trautner

Kewaskum, WI – To commemorate the 21st anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a program will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center, located at 1308 Fond du Lac Ave. in Kewaskum.

attacks
Speaking at the event will be Lisa Burgess, a survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. She will speak about her firsthand experiences on the day of the attack. “Commemorating Sept. 11 isn’t some morbid wallow in old news. It keeps a sacred promise to the
victims. We remember you. You live on in our hearts,” Burgess said.

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A former reporter for Stars and Stripes newspaper, Burgess was the first to report the Pentagon attack. “Attacking the Pentagon might have been symbolic, but it was also dumb. In striking at the symbol of U.S. military dominance, they hit the single government building that is stuffed with 22,000 military and even civilian workers who are, at minimum, trained to react calmly in crises. And most of the personnel go way, way beyond. They are their service’s best and brightest. So, you have never seen such an instant
rise of heroes. It was like a tsunami of courage,” Burgess said.

 

Also speaking at the program will be Emerson Lehmann, a reporter for CBS 58 Milwaukee and a graduate of Kewaskum High School (KHS). Seeing the attacks of September 11, 2001, on television is one of his earliest memories. He recalls learning a lot about 9/11 from former KHS teacher Jerry Gosa, and he will speak about the importance of education.

9/11 Memorial in Kewaskum

“It will be an honor to speak at the Wisconsin 9/11 memorial event. As a Kewaskum native, it’s been very special to see the memorial take shape in our community, especially considering the impacts the attacks had on our village with the loss of Andrea Haberman. Considering I was just 4 years old when the attacks took place, I and others my age and younger had to rely on education to really comprehend all that took place on 9/11. I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak about the importance of education and never forgetting those lost that day,” Lehmann said.


Others participating in the program include the Rev. Jacob Strand, the American Legion Post 384 Honor Guard, the Kewaskum High School band, and singer Windy Hope.

The event is free of charge and open to the public. Please note that Fond du Lac Avenue in Kewaskum will be closed between Main Street and Second Street during the event.

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