Remembering 9/11

If a black streamer is above the American flag, it is because the black ribbon is an accepted patriotic practice to display mourning for U.S. flags displayed on a short pole or for indoor flags that cannot be lowered to half-staff.

This was the case for the flag at the Medicine Bow Community Garden on Monday in memory of 9/11, as residents of the town got the area ready for services scheduled later in the afternoon.

As part of the National Day of Service and 9/11 Remembrance Project sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) and Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the William Horne Post #64 of the ALA under the direction of project leader Kay Embree, residents of Medicine Bow cleaned up, planted one Aspen and one Hot Wing Maple tree by the foundation where the red memorial bench will rest. The morning had around 40 people working to get the area ready for the 9/11 ceremony. Lawnmowers, tractors, hedge clippers and shovels were put in action as the garden went from overgrown area to an attractive small park.

"I really appreciate the effort of everybody in Medicine Bow who stepped up here to help me with our community garden project in memory of September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance Project," Embree said while she looked over the townspeople working to get the garden.

Rex Rudd read off names of the veterans and mayor Kevin Colman gave the remembrance speech in the afternoon following the garden's cleanup. Students of Medicine Bow Elementary sang "America" under the direction of music teacher Pamela Glasser.

Embree said about 80 people visited the garden throughout the day. The businesses and residents that donated tools, services and labor showed the town really cared about the memorial bench Embree had been able to pull together through the grant of the ALA and the CNCS. "I have to say, thank you Medicine Bow for showing up to help," Embree said smiling.