HAWTHORNE ARMY DEPOT, Nev. (Sept. 22, 2015) -- The Remembrance of 9/11 is an important event in Hawthorne. Each year the community gathers together in remembrance of the day.
For the last five years, the depot has hosted a 17-mile hike to the 11,239 foot summit of Mount Grant, called the 9/11 Mount Grant Challenge. This year, a Half-Challenge was added to the opportunity for those still in training for the full challenge.
The commander of the Hawthorne Army Depot and both government and contractor personnel have whole-heartedly supported the event, volunteering many hours of their time. In addition, many community businesses and organizations also donated generously of their time and resources to make the event a success.
This year, a parade was incorporated into the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11, to kick off the weekend. In a solemn commemoration, the community unfolded the 50 foot United States flag. Community members demonstrated their support of the flag in a tangible way as they carried our Nation's colors down the town's main street. Emergency vehicles from the fire department, the police department and the Nevada National Guard followed the flag to honor the heroism displayed by the emergency workers on that fateful day in 2001. Upon arriving at Veterans' Park, the flag was raised and then lowered to half-staff.
Hawthorne Army Depot Commander, Lt. Col. Gregory Gibbons, thanked all the participants and volunteers and addressed the crowd. He shared his personal memories of the day and described the stress his family endured waiting to hear how his Uncle Kevin, a veteran of the New York Fire Department and part of the terrorist response team, fared after Tower 1 collapsed. It was a relief to know that his life was spared as he had carried an injured comrade from the building just prior to the collapse of his building. However, they all shared the grief from the many lives that were lost.
On September 12 at 6:00 a.m., almost 100 participants from various locations in Nevada, from the Hawthorne hometown to Reno to Las Vegas, and from California and Washington states gathered together to begin the personal challenge to their own strength, stamina and endurance by participating in the Mount Grant Challenge. Everyone was encouraged to proceed at their own pace, do their best and take pride in their efforts.
Volunteer stations were located every three miles along the route to provide water, snacks, and encouragement to the hikers. With almost 50 volunteers, there was one volunteer for every two hikers. Additional volunteers were available to provide rides to the top for those who had reached their limits. Emergency medical technicians were also available to provide assistance if anyone required it.
The majority of hikers completed their trek to the top by sheer determination and all were commended for their participation.
Gibbons said, "Remembering the sacrifices made that fateful day in 2001, fuels our patriotism and encourages us all to give our best as we watch out for one another."
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