Tulsans Remember The September 11 Attacks

Tulsans paused Monday to remember the events of 9-11. Several memorial services were held in Tulsa to mark the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Chris Wright says

Sunday, September 10th 2006, 11:29 am

By: News On 6

Tulsans paused Monday to remember the events of 9-11. Several memorial services were held in Tulsa to mark the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

News on 6 reporter Chris Wright says organizers of Mondayâ€™s services stressed the importance of showing unity during the memorials. As a result, members of a number of races, religions, and nationalities stood together to remember September 11th.

Robert Montgomery, whose brother was killed on 9-11: "he was crazy and fantastic I guess, he was a dedicated officer, he did what he was supposed to do, he did his job." Montgomery lost his brother on that fateful day five years ago. Bill Montgomery, a Port Authority transit officer, escaped the World Trade Center after the planes hit. But he went back in to save others, and was on the 17th floor when Tower One collapsed. "He loved his job, he loved the people he worked with, and he loved the people he worked around, he was a good guy."

Robert says he came to inter-faith memorial service at the Civic Center Plaza to remember his brother, as well as everyone else lost on 9-11.

The service, which began with a rousing version of America the Beautiful, featured speeches from a number of Tulsa religious leaders. Seated in front of the speakers were children, each one holding the flag of a nation that lost citizens in the attacks.

Organizers of the ceremony say they wanted to make sure everyone in the community was represented. Rev. Jim Mishler with Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry: "that sense of community, unity in diversity was the main thing today."

Diversity was also the theme during an earlier memorial service at Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa. It included music from a 40-voice choir and readings from members of various cultures and faiths.

Robert Montgomery, who says his pain has eased a little over the past five years, feels Tulsans should be proud of both events. "It just shows that people around the country, around the world, care about what happens to fellow Americans.â€

This is the third year the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry has held a memorial service on 9-11. Trinity Episcopal has held its event every year since the attacks. Both organizations though say the fifth anniversary presented an unique opportunity to reflect on what happened, as well as look forward.