Honor & Never Forget: 9/11 25th Anniversary Memorial

By Angie Helvey, for Canby Chronicle 

It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since September 11, 2001, when 3,000 people were killed and thousands of others wounded after four commercial planes were hijacked by a malevolent force in a coordinated terrorist attack on the United States. 

The memorial last month was not only about remembering the tragedy, but also about rededicating Canby’s World Trade Center Artifact, which was recently moved from Ackerman Middle School to the police station. “It’s an important piece of our history, and we wanted it to be in a place where the community could easily access it,” Captain James Murphy explained in an interview. The community convened at 8 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, in front of the Canby Police Department. The program began with the presentation of the colors by the Canby American Legion and St. Patrick’s Knights of Columbus, followed by Canby Police Officer Kyler Boyd singing a captivating rendition of the National Anthem, and Chaplain Connie Colbaugh delivering the invocation. 

Canby City Mayor Brian Hodson took the stage next and reflected on that tragic day. “For those of us who are alive, we remember where we were and who we were with. We remember the television coverage, the phone calls — the uncertainty of that day,” he said. He recounted feelings of shock, disbelief, fear, and devastation, but urged the community to remember the tremendous sense of patriotism that followed. “Through courage and sacrifice, we gained new appreciation for our families, neighbors, and communities — and the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.”

Oregon State Senator Christine Drazan spoke after the Mayor and delivered a sobering chronological timeline of that fateful morning’s events. She thanked all first responders, EMTs, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and military personnel, past and present, specifically recognizing the heroism of those on United Flight 93, who banded together to thwart the terrorists’ plan for the plane’s trajectory. “They recognized the evil they were facing, and chose to fight against it,” she said. “This is about heroes who are everyday Americans.”

The next speaker was retired Army Colonel Pete Wood, who remembered watching the 9/11 coverage while at a joint multinational training center in Germany as part of his enlistment in the Army National Guard. Colonel Wood made the brave choice to re-enlist and continue to serve in a harrowing post 9/11 environment, along with many of his fellow soldiers, including deployments to the Middle East. He shared that 180 Oregonians lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Remember that behind every name was a person who was loved, who had a family, friends, and a future,” he said. “We’re proud and grateful that they gave their lives and service to something greater than themselves.”

Citizen Jeanne Horne took the podium next and shared a powerful story written by her friend, Deanna Williams, who was on the 61st floor of the South Tower when the North Tower was hit on September 11, 2001. She described images of people plummeting to their deaths from the North Tower and thick, suffocating smoke and heat in the stairwell as thousands of people tried to evacuate from 112 stories. Horne shared that although Deanna survived, the repercussions of her experience continue to reverberate, including the subsequent military service, disability, and death of her brother, who wanted to serve because his sister was there that day.

From Ground Zero, the following speaker was former United States Marine, former FDNY firefighter and retired paramedic Frank Gaide. He was a triage captain when the World Trade Center was struck, and spent days searching through the rubble for survivors. Later, he co-founded Guardians of Never Forget, a nonprofit that raises money to support veterans and first responders who may be struggling. He gifted a commemorative plaque to the Canby Police Department. “This was given to me 25 years ago, and I want to pass it on,” he said. “We have to teach future generations. The words, ‘Never Forget’ should be burned into the hearts of all Americans.”

Canby Fire Chief Matt Dale and Canby School Superintendent Jennifer Patterson took the stage next, with two rose bushes to plant as a living tribute next to the World Trade Center Artifact. Part of a commemorative rose dedication following the 9/11 attacks, this variety honors law enforcement. Patterson thanked everyone who helped acquire the World Trade Center beam segment (including the students who wrote over 1,800 letters to secure the artifact) and supported its recent relocation. “We’re grateful to the community partnerships that are keeping the legacy of 9/11 and the students of Ackerman Middle School alive.”

The last speaker of the morning was Police Chief Jose Gonzalez. He emphasized that placing the artifact at the police station serves as a reminder of the astounding courage we saw on and after 9/11. “God bless those who gave their lives protecting others,” he said. The event concluded with taps played by Canby High School student Ian Peck, a fitting end for a beautiful morning of honor and remembrance.