On the 16th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, hundreds gathered at Omaha's Memorial Park to honor the more than 3-thousand people killed on 9/11, including hundreds of firefighters and police officers.
This was the fourth year the First Responders Foundation hosted the memorial event, which included a minute of silence at 9:11 a.m.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said efforts by the terrorists to deter first responders failed that day. "Here we are 16 years later, and I don’t see any deterrence,’’ he said. "I see America stronger than ever.’’
A small American flag with the name and age of each person killed 16 years ago have been placed in the ground at the park.
Monday morning's ceremony had extra special meaning for Sara Cerasoli of Omaha. She was living in New York on 9/11 and was across the street from the south tower when the attack happened.
She tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB her father-in-law was a fire captain and rushed into the twin towers. "He was there and he saved multiple lives, but he also lost his entire group," Cerasoli says. She says her brother-in-law was in the south tower and survived.
She and her family moved back to Omaha eleven years ago and is grateful that the community takes time to pay tribute to first responders.
"I really love that Omaha does such a nice job with doing this. It helps you be reminded and see the actual people that go in everyday and do this crazy stuff. It takes a certain kind of person. They are born that way."
Cerasoli says her husband's family still lives in New York.