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Emergency workers, heroes honored at Citizens Medical Center 9/11 ceremony

Lynn Rivera Of Victoria waves a flag in the stands as the MHS Dance and Drill Team present an American flag on the football field at the end of the halftime ceremony. The team members passed out thousands of small flags to the crowd to join in the tribute to those that perished on Sept. 11, 2001. Rivera's daughter, Desiree Salazar, is a member of the group.
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  • Julian Cavazos •
  • Originally published September 11, 2009 at 5:03 p.m., updated September 12, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.

Doris Kleiber encouraged Crossroads residents Friday to "keep their flags flying high."

Since 2001, Kleiber has organized a memorial ceremony on Sept. 11 at Citizens Medical Center to honor those serving in the military.

"Remember the men and women who have been called into active duty to defend our country and their families who are left behind," Kleiber said in her welcome address to the public.

Despite the rain that came, the ceremony went on as planned.

Among the more than 100 people present were members of the Victoria Police Department, Victoria Fire Department, Veterans of Foreign Wars veterans, Citizens employees and others.

Together they sang the national anthem and "God Bless America," and listened to a speech given by U.S. Army Col. Commander Mark McQueen of Florida.

"It is today that we not only honor those whose lives were taken on Sept. 11, but to the living both here and abroad that stand in the gap every day and look terror in the eye and say, 'Terror does not live here,'" McQueen said. "To the citizens of Victoria, your patriotism and support is instrumental to our success. You have stepped up to the call."

McQueen, who was visiting Victoria for the first time, encouraged Crossroads residents to care for each other and be united against the common enemy.

"What lives here is a community bonded by a legacy of heroism and a fight for freedom," he said. "What lives here in Victoria is a hero's spirit and a patriot's heart. We came here to reflect and renew."

Manuel Rivera, a trustee for VFW and a Vietnam veteran, said he's happy people still remember Sept. 11.

He said he thinks about his time at Vietnam every day.

"Some things you just don't forget," Rivera, 64, said. "It's been 38 years since I left Vietnam, and not a day has gone by that I don't think about Vietnam. I don't think America will never forget 9/11. It's brought us together as a nation."



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Comments

  • Loveourmilitary Loveourmilitary Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Great story! I love the way you chose to include the kids, parents, families... Thumbs up to you Julian.

    September 12, 2009 at 12:26 p.m.
  • group6 group6 Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Very nice. Wish I could have been there!

    September 12, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
  • coolgranny coolgranny Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Really nice community involvement piece and pictures. Mr. Rivera's reference to Vietnam brought back memories of my dad's struggles with WWll. He fought the enemies every night in his dreams. I would wake up and hear him screaming, and he would tell me to go back to bed. He was having a bad dream. Mom would tell me that he would thrash and sweat and shiver during these night horrors. Thanks Julian for tying the two generations together. We must never forget 9/11 or the heroes of any wars in which America was involved.

    September 12, 2009 at 11:23 a.m.