More than 2,000 civilians, 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers and eight EMTs and paramedics as a result of the terrorist attacks died on Sept. 11, 2001.
Serving as the guest speaker for Fernley’s 24th annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Out of Town Park, Lyon County Sheriff Brad Pope urged those in attendance to honor the sacrifice of those first responders and all of the others who were killed, not with words, but with purpose.
“These are not just numbers,” Pope said. “These are names, faces, families left behind, futures never lived.”
Pope said that instinct to run into the flames, rather than from them, to use their own bodies to shield others from danger, is what makes a first responder different.
“So today we do more than mourn, we remember with purpose,” Pope said. “We honor their action. We carry their stories forward so the world will never forget, not just what happened on 9/11, but who stood up when everything else was falling down.”
Pope said heroes wear turnout gear, heroes carry stretchers, heroes wear uniforms.
“On 9/11, heroes climbed 110 floors, knowing that they may never come back down,” he said. “Let us honor the fallen, not just with words, but with a renewed promise to care for those who continue to serve.”
While acknowledging that there are no words that can fully express our gratitude, Pope said we say them anyway.
“We remember you, we honor you, we will never forget you,” he said. “May the memory of the fallen guide us. May their courage inspire us and may we as a nation live each day worthy of their sacrifice.”
Following Pope’s remarks and the Volley of Three fired by the Nevada Veterans Coalition Honor Guard, Dana Uhlhorn, the 2022 recipient of the Fernley Patriot of the Year Award, was called to the stage to present the 2024 award to Kelly Brye.
Uhlhorn said Brye has been involved in several different community organizations including the Moose Lodge, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Fernley Builders Association.
“This person constantly gives selflessly of himself, his money and his time, even his spirit, to push this community forward to do better for it,” Uhlhorn said.
Referring to the shooting the day before of Charlie Kirk, Brye said he heard a commentator on the news calling for people to be united, not angry. Brye recalled how united the country was after 9/11.
“It was the most united by far in my lifetime that we have been as a nation, so I’m going to try and do that today,” he said.
Brye also thanked the first responders and those serving the country.
“Thank you for all you do for us from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
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