EAST LANSING, Aug. 30, 2024 - Even today, after more than 2 decades, most Americans know the name Todd Beamer. On September 11, 2001, Todd famously said "Let's roll" when he and a handful of other passengers took on the terrorists who had taken control of United Flight 93 that day. Setting aside fears for their personal safety and knowing their likely fate, these everyday Americans forced the flight crashed over a Pennsylvania field. In doing so, they prevented the flight from striking its target in Washington, D.C., and adding further to the day's horror and carnage. As we grieve the loss of their lives and so many others, we honor Beamer and his fellow passengers today for their act of heroism.
Many are not aware that Beamer was a Flint native. Michigan Remembers solemnly acknowledges the Michigan roots of this man who gave everything to protect his country, and honors each of the 42 Michigan victims of 9/11 who perished in the 9/11 attacks. Their profiles can be found here. We hope you, too, will take a moment to reflect on their lives and their terrible sacrifice as we mark another anniversary.
"It is our mission to recognize all of the people from Michigan who lost their lives on September 11, 2001,'' said Patrick L. Anderson, a founder of the Michigan Remembers 9/11 Fund and a survivor of the attacks in Manhattan. "We preserve this history to ensure their names and their stories are not forgotten, determined that their memory will not fade into the background of history."
Anderson is known as the principal and CEO of the Anderson Economic Group in East Lansing, but he was also staying in the World Trade Center Marriott for a conference that day. This year, he will speak briefly about the death, destruction, and selflessness of so many heroes that day when he joins the Detroit area organizers of the national 911 Day organization for a day of service and remembrance at the Wayne State University Fieldhouse, September 11, 2024, at 9:00am. Previous years' comments can also be seen at:
@detroit_news Patrick Anderson, 9/11 survivor, speaks in Plymouth, MI about his experience 20 years ago in New York #911 #fyp #twintowers911 ♬ original sound - The Detroit News
The Michigan Remembers 9/11 Fund is a 501c3 charity and its efforts are entirely supported by private donations. The Fund has previously sponsored "Run to Remember" events, high school essay contests, and travel for Michigan's first responders to the World Trade Center for 9/11 events.
Every year, the City of Lansing hosts an event to honor and remember those who lost their lives, the families, and the survivors of September 11, 2001, at Wentworth Park in downtown Lansing.
More details: lansingmi.gov
September 8 through September 11 the Lansing Veterans Council and local veteran groups will be conducting a 9-11 remembrance display. The “A Day to Remember” memorial field will be displayed at Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing.
More details: Fox47 News
World Trade Center Survivor Patrick Anderson Joined by Lansing Mayor Andy Schor in Placing Wreath at Wentworth Park Memorial
EAST LANSING, Mich. — August 30, 2021
Patrick L. Anderson, WTC survivor and founder of the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund, was joined by uniformed police officers and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor yesterday in placing a memorial wreath at Wentworth Park’s steel beam monument. The occasion was, as always, one of solemnity and reflection for Mr. Anderson.
Looking back on that day with the perspective of these elapsed 20 years, memories of that day have softened for many who are old enough to have watched it unfold. The edges, however, remain as sharp and jarring as ever for survivors and for those who lost loved ones to the flames and rubble. Michigan Remembers 9-11 maintains a list and brief bios of those lost from our state.
East Lansing, MI - September 11, 2020
Contact: Lisa Wootton Booth, 517.333.6984
Most Americans remember Todd Beamer, the 9/11 hero who said “Let’s roll,” before fighting back terrorists aboard United Flight 93, bound for an attack on Washington, D.C. In the struggle, the flight crashed over a Pennsylvania field.
Few Michiganders are aware Beamer was a Flint native. The Michigan Remembers 9/11 Fund has now identified 42 people of Michigan who perished in the 9/11 attacks, including people who were born, grew up in, or had other ties to the state.
Twenty-three of the 42 victims, more than half, were identified and added to the list through extensive research completed in 2020. Profiles on the honored dead are at https://michiganremembers.org.
East Lansing Fire Department firefighter and paramedic Nicole Kitson was one of two runners selected by the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund to participate in the Tunnel to Towers 5K in New York City.(Photo: RJ Wolcott / Lansing State Journal)
EAST LANSING — When Nicole Kitson started working as a firefighter in 2007, she learned that each day on the job had the potential to end in sacrifice.
Later this month, she’ll run alongside fellow emergency responders to honor those who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
Kitson is one of two Michigan runners selected by the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund to take part in the Tunnel to Tower 5K Run and Walk. The race will be held in New York City on Sept. 27.
Working as an emergency responder wasn’t what Kitson originally envisioned for herself, she said.
After graduating from Davenport University with a business degree, she worked for a year before realize she wasn’t content.
Two local firefighters will re-trace the route a New York City firefighter took on 9/11 as he ran from a traffic-clogged tunnel to the World Trade Center.
Tim Grant of the Williamston Fire Department and Tiffany Dickerson of the Lansing Fire Department were nominated to take part in Sunday’s Tunnel to Towers 5K in New York City. More than 25,000 people are expected to participate.
The event honors the memory of firefighter Stephen Siller, who was on his way home the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 when word came of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
With his vehicle stuck in traffic, Siller ran the three miles from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center with 60 pounds of equipment strapped to his back. Siller was one of nearly 400 emergency services personnel to die that day.
“To be making the same run he ran that morning, it gives you chills,” Grant said. “At the end of this race, I get to go home. He didn’t get to go home, and I’ll be thinking about that.”
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