Flathead firefighters, others mark anniversary of 9/11
<p>Jim Till and Slim Tallada of the Creston Fire Department.</p>
Carol Freeman of Kalispell and Carolyn Robinson of Evergreen and others take part in the sining of the National Anthem on Saturday at the Celebrate America! event in Kalispell.
The Flag of Heros was on display on Saturday at the Celebrate America! event in Kalispell. The flag contains the names of police, firefighters and other emergency responders who died in the 9/11 attacks.
Firefighters, politicians and citizens across Flathead County marked the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 Saturday.
Standing in near silence along U.S. 35 at the Creston Fire Department, volunteers Jim Till and Slim Tallada held an American flag.
In Bigfork, firefighters began their tribute at 6:43 a.m. in an effort to begin at the same time the first World Trade Center tower was struck.
A similar display could be seen at the Ferndale Fire Department. Firefighters took turns honoring those lost in the largest terrorist attack on American soil by standing still along busy roadways dressed in full gear.
Passing motorists honked, waved and occasionally stopped to thank the men and women for the day-long show of appreciation.
“It’s now our privilege to pay tribute to our fallen firefighters,” Tallada said.
Earlier in the day, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg was a speaker at the “Celebrate America” memorial event sponsored by the Flathead County Republican Women at the fairgrounds.