“Sept. 11, 2001, revealed heroism in ordinary people who might have gone through their lives never called upon to demonstrate the extent of their courage,” said 1st Lt. Larry Ahner at the 20th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Service at the Lehighton Amphitheater.

The Lehighton United Veterans Organization hosted the ceremony.

Ahner said the quote by Geraldine Brooks is one of his favorites. “When I speak about military service, I say often that ordinary service men and women can do extraordinary things when placed in that situation.”

Ahner spoke of the heroism of the first responders. “All the first responders in countless acts of selfless service and bravery, brought out some of the best in us, and showed how resilient we are. In the days, years and decades after 9/11, countless service men and women sacrificed greatly to root out the evil that perpetrated these heinous acts to prevent any future acts, and I thank all of them for their sacrifice and service.”

Lt. Col. Travis Steigerwalt, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, was the featured speaker, thanking the members of the Lehighton UVO and the area first responders who attended the ceremony.

He shared how security wanted to take President George W. Bush to an undisclosed location for safety.

He said he wanted to return to Washington, D.C. “America needs me, I’m coming back,” Bush said.

“With strong determined leadership, American resolve, support from our allies, and a thirst for revenge,” Steigerwalt explained, “the war on terrorism came to the forefront of our everyday lives, impacting each and every one of us. It altered many things, the way we do things.”

He wanted to be sure future generations know about the attacks.

“I don’t know how many times I watched those images of those planes crashing into the towers and all the events of the following days,” Steigerwalt shared.

“I know I don’t ever want to see them again; but, I do see those images; they’re burned in my brain, probably like every one of you.”

Those images must be shared with future generations, he said.

“We need them to know what happened that day; to honor the people that died, to honor the first responders that helped; the military that went to Afghanistan and Iraq and all over the world, and we want to make sure these events don’t happen again.”

Lehighton Mayor Clark Ritter shared his story of learning about the events of 9/11. While traveling to Hazleton with his wife, he received a phone call from his daughter who told him about the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center. As he was returning home, he received another call telling him about the second plane. He immediately thought about all those people trapped inside those towers.

“Twenty years later, time marches on, and we have to do what we have to do,” Ritter said. “I hope everyone realizes the sacrifices made by our military over the years.”

After the speakers and several musical numbers, the Lehighton UVO gave an Armed Forces Salute to each of the branches of the military, presenting the flags for the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the POW/MIA flag.