(Spirit Lake)– September 11th memorial services were held throughout the region today.
In Spirit Lake, community members, firefighters and law enforcement personnel gathered at flag pole ceremonies at the high school and Iowa Lakes Community College, where Attendance Center Director Aileen Schacherer delivered the address. While the day brings somber memories, Schacherer says it’s also important to remember the events of a year ago have also made us stronger, bringing people together, resulting in us re-evaluating our priorities.
At the Clay County Fair in Spencer, the “freedom quilters”, Betty and Dennis Nielsen of Fonda, addressed a gathering. Through their efforts, about 3,400 quilts have been made and distributed to the families of victims in New York City. And Betty Nielsen said they’re no where close to being done. She says they want to make another eight thousand quilts. Nielsen said she wants to make sure that anyone directly impacted by the tragedy of a year ago gets a quilt.
The Nielsens will travel back to New York City in December to distribute more quilts.
