BELLE FOURCHE—Walking into Herrmann Park on the morning of September 11, you were met with the overwhelming sight of rows and rows of intricately arranged American flags—2,983 of them to be exact. Each represented one life lost in the horrific attacks on our homeland, with another six recognizing the lives lost in the February 26, 1993, bombing of the World Trade Center.
The Center of the Nation 9/11 Remembrance Weekend brought the events of 25 years ago to Belle Fourche’s doorstep by hosting two days of activities Sept. 11–12. The occasion was meant to honor and remember the lives lost on that fateful day as well as educate the public about the enormity of the tragedy in an attempt to unify the community.
Belle Fourche’s own Joe and Alicia Giaculli were the driving force behind the planning and execution of the memorial events. They built upon the Remembrance Walk that was started by the Belle Fourche Volunteer Fire Department to honor first responders and others lost in the attacks.
Joe was a first responder on the scene of the devastating attack on the World Trade Center 25 years ago. He worked on the recovery efforts for the following 13 months.
Beginning at 8 a.m. on the morning of September 11, the opening ceremony took place. Jim Thompson served as the MC and greeted everyone in attendance and reminded them why we were all together on this unforgettable day. “This is the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, and today we gather to remember a day that forever changed our country and changed our lives for so many of us. Remember those who were lost, those who responded, those who served in the years that followed, and the families, the survivors and communities who continue to carry the impact of September 11th,” he said.
Thompson recognized all of the flags on display and explained their importance. “Here in Herrmann Park, nearly 3,000 American flags have been placed in remembrance of the individuals’ lives that were lost on September 11th; each one represents a person, represents a life that was being lived, people who loved them, and a story that did not begin or end with that day,” he said.
The Sturgis American Legion Riders color guard presented the colors and Austey Stiefvater sang the national anthem.
Mark Leverington read a poem he wrote to commemorate the 25th anniversary. Before he started, he shared the dedication. “It’s a poem to commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, and I would dedicate it to all the men, women and children that died that day. I would also dedicate it to our first responders that climbed the stairs that day, trying to save one person, maybe two persons, but gave their lives up to do that today,” he said. “I would like to dedicate it to the men and the women that sit in the front row today—some of us see them in action, protecting us, serving us and defending us. And I would like to also dedicate it to the man sitting to the right of me, my new friend Joe, who served as detective of the New York City Police Department—a good man.”
The Center of the Nation 9/11 Remembrance presented the city of Belle Fourche with an American flag that was flown over the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. Joe and Alicia presented it to the mayor of Belle Fourche, Randy Schmidt. “Good morning, everyone. My name is Detective Joseph Giaculli, Organized Crime Manhattan, and this is a flag that we flew at Ground Zero in Manhattan in June. We’re going to present this flag to the city today,” he said.
Schmidt accepted the gift on behalf of the city and said it would be on display at the Tri-State Museum. “As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we are reminded that while the years pass, our responsibilities to remember does not. We also recognize the spirit that emerged in the days and the months that followed. Americans came together with compassion, resolve and willingness to help one another. Communities put aside differences and focused on what united us—love of country, service to others and hope for the future—those values remain just as important today as they were 25 years ago,” shared Schmidt. “I would also like to thank the many volunteers, businesses, organizations, veterans, first responders, community leaders and the citizens of Belle Fourche who helped make this Remembrance Weekend possible. Your commitment ensures that the stories, sacrifices and lessons of September 11th continue to be shared with our future generation.”
United States Senator Mike Rounds spoke about how the tragedy hit close to home. “It touched every community within our state…think for a minute about what happened right here in your local community as young men who were part of the National Guard, as their families start to wonder about what would happen to them because they were being called to duty. We called up over 5,000 young men and women in South Dakota alone. They left their families. They left their communities. They left their jobs,” he said.
Kayla Grams, owner of Belle Fourche Counseling, spent time talking about the trauma first responders endure while they are helping others. “…while thousands of people were desperately trying to get away from danger. Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other first responders were moving toward danger. And 25 years later, that is still what first responders do every single day,” she said.
Grams reflected on the way Americans supported one another following the attacks and encouraged the community to approach mental health with that same sense of preparedness and care, rather than waiting until someone is in crisis. “Strength isn’t carrying everything by yourself. Sometimes strength is recognizing what you’re carrying has become too heavy and reaching out your hand. Strength is noticing that someone’s hands are full and helping them carry it,” she explained. “That responsibility belongs to all of us. It belongs to departments and leadership. It belongs to mental health professionals. It belongs to families, friends, neighbors, churches, schools, businesses and communities like ours. If we are going to ask men and women to show up for us on the worst days of our lives, we must show up for them on theirs.”
Joe stood alongside his wife, Alicia, as she shared stories of some of the people who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy, reminding those gathered that each of the 2,977 flags represented a person with a name and a story. “Ultimately Joe and I and the rest of our team, our family, our friends wanted to thank you all who have showed up to help us create this space for our community to all be together and remember victims from September 11th. Thank you very much,” she said.
At precisely 8:46 a.m., the church bells tolled and the large crowd gathered in the park went silent together to remember the exact moment that Flight 11 hit the North Tower.
Stephen Carson, pastor of Connection Church, led prayer. As he finished, Brenda Schnieder, standing in the field of flags, played Taps. Barry Pitt performed his rendition of Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).”
MC Thompson closed out the ceremony by recognizing those in attendance who have dedicated their lives to serving others and officially opening the 9/11 Memorial Flag Tribute to the public.
“Each flag before you represents a life, a family and a story worthy of being remembered,” he said. “On behalf of the Center of the Nation 9/11 Remembrance and the many people who made this possible, we now invite you to enter the 9/11 Memorial Flag Tribute to walk among the flags, learn the stories, remember, reflect and never forget.”
The event was well thought out and every aspect of the weekend was thoroughly planned. Spectators were encouraged to enter the Flag Tribute through the picnic shelter, which had been transformed into a tunnel with displays lining both sides. At the entrance was a display of bald eagles created by Dahl’s Chainsaw Art. Inside, you could find a TV broadcasting the 9/11 reading of the names of those who perished in the attacks.
Memorabilia and recognitions stemming from the terrorist attack were on display. A table held framed newspapers from the days following the 9/11 attack. Nine freestanding informational panels detailed each event of the day and the days following, beginning with the exact moment the North Tower was hit by the first plane and continuing through each tragic event.
On the other side of the tunnel was a Remembrance Wall for people to share their thoughts and a Survivor Tree filled with leaves.
At 6 p.m. on the same day was the Remembrance Walk. Local firefighters came in full gear to lead the one-mile route (four laps) around Herrmann Park. One mile is approximately 2,200 steps, the number used to symbolize climbing the 110 stories of one of the World Trade Center towers. Participants could walk one mile in honor of one tower or two miles in honor of both.
The Flag Tribute was available for the public to visit on both September 11 and 12. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, was the 9/11 Never Forget Blood Drive. The blood drive ended the day with 44 blood donations. “[We] just missed our goal, but there is always next year,” shared Alicia. “We were so pleased with the turnout!”
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