MILWAUKEE — It has been 22 years since the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001 unfolded in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. 

What You Need To Know

  • Milwaukee County honored those lost on 9/11

  • Community leaders and veterans placed wreaths in front of an I-beam from the World Trade Center

  • Leaders are focusing on keeping the memory alive more than two decades after the events of 9/11

While more than two decades and hundreds of miles separate Milwaukee from what took place that day, the memory of what happened remains strong and continues to resonate with people everywhere. 

People from across Milwaukee County came together on Monday to pay tribute during an event at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center. 

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley was among those who spoke at the event. 

“We mourn for the thousands of innocent lives that were lost and the families and communities that were shattered in the process,” Crowley told the crowd, “We honor the courage of the countless Americans who ran towards and into danger that very day.” 

Police and fire chiefs, as well as retired military members, had an opportunity to lay a wreath of remembrance during the ceremony. The War Memorial has an I-beam from the World Trade Center, which is on display in the museum. Those asked to place a wreath were able to leave it in front of the beam. 

Willie Luckett was invited to lay a wreath at the memorial. Luckett is retired from the Naval Reserve. Luckett said it is important to make sure people of all ages remember 9/11. 

“We are honored to honor the people that have fallen before and people who will fall in the future. They are our future, the younger generation, the people who are graduating college. They are the future. They are the United States of America. They are the military who will protect us in our old age,” said Luckett. 

Preserving the memory of 9/11 becomes increasingly important as time moves forward. Now, more than two decades past the events, many young adults weren’t alive or were too young to remember that day. 

Dan Buttery is president and CEO of the War Memorial Center. Buttery said it is important to share the memory of 9/11. 

“It is more than just remembering a day, a time, a name. It is the significance of it,” said Buttery. “In past generations, maybe it was a grandparent who talked about Pearl Harbor, World War II, Korea, Vietnam. That is what we do here at the War Memorial.” 

The War Memorial Center holds a 9/11 memorial event annually. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball were among those in attendance. 

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