More than 300 residents gathered Friday morning at the Silver Lake Mall in Coeur d’Alene to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office organized the remembrance ceremony, which drew Gold Star families, veterans, and local officials to reflect on the national tragedy.
Reflections on National Security
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Pete Holley noted that collective memories of the attacks are fading across many communities, including parts of Idaho. He emphasized the enduring reach of the event’s impact, referencing the 3,000 miles between the homeland and the theaters of subsequent conflict.
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris addressed the crowd, stating that violent crime rates dropped significantly nationwide in the months following Sept. 11. Norris attributed the original attacks to “failed immigration policy” and a “lack of immigration enforcement.” He added, “Not putting America first also contributed to 9/11.”, as first reported by the Coeur d’Alene Press
Honoring Military Sacrifice
The keynote speaker was Joseph Lowe, a U.S. Marine corporal from Meridian. Lowe shared his personal experience of service, detailing how he was injured when his tank rolled over an improvised explosive device during the Battle of Al Qaim in 2005. The incident left him paralyzed.
The ceremony served as a focal point for North Idaho residents to honor those who lost their lives and those who answered the call to duty in the wars that followed. Local leaders used the occasion to underscore the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by military personnel and first responders over the past quarter-century.