Sacrifice and legacy of 9/11 remembered during local ceremony
T-R PHOTOS BY MIKE DONAHEY — Marshalltown Chief of Police Mike Tupper is shown next to a steel beam from one of the Trade Center’s twin Towers in New York City destroyed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks while others look on. Tupper addressed dozens of attendees Monday during a 9/11 memorial service at the Marshalltown joint fire and police department facility in the 900 block of South Second Street.
Marshalltown Fire Department Chief David Rierson symbolically rings a fire house bell on Monday while others look on. The bell ringing acknowledged the loss of New York City Fire Department personnel during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center’s twin towers. A steel beam from one of the towers serves as the centerpiece of the permanent 9/11 memorial in front of the joint fire and police department facility in the 900 block of South Second Street.
T-R PHOTOS BY MIKE DONAHEY — Marshalltown Chief of Police Mike Tupper is shown next to a steel beam from one of the Trade Center’s twin Towers in New York City destroyed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks while others look on. Tupper addressed dozens of attendees Monday during a 9/11 memorial service at the Marshalltown joint fire and police department facility in the 900 block of South Second Street.
Marshalltown Fire Department Chief David Rierson symbolically rings a fire house bell on Monday while others look on. The bell ringing acknowledged the loss of New York City Fire Department personnel during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center’s twin towers. A steel beam from one of the towers serves as the centerpiece of the permanent 9/11 memorial in front of the joint fire and police department facility in the 900 block of South Second Street.
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Dozens of central Iowans paused to honor and reflect and ponder a call for unity at Marshalltown's joint fire and police department facility Monday.
Area firefighters, deputies, law enforcement, veterans groups and residents were there to honor the dead, the wounded and those still grieving from the loss of loved ones from the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
Monday marked the 22nd anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, when nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives in viciously coordinated terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where passengers had thwarted hijackers causing the plane to crash.
The local ceremony held at the facility's prominent 9/11 memorial – began promptly at 7:40 a.m. – to coincide precisely when the first hijacked passenger plane crashed into one of the WTC towers – also known as Ground Zero.
Marshalltown Chief of Police Mike Tupper was the first to speak.
"We are still losing people (from the attack)," he said. "Every year we say 'Always remember, never forget,' but do we really? Remember how united we were after the attack. It did not matter what your background was -- your demographic -- your political affiliation – we were together as Americans. Are we today? For me, it feels like our country has never been more divided than we are today. So maybe today, we should think (about) how we can work with our neighbors, our community members, our fellow Americans, to bring our country back together – so that we can truly remember the brave souls that died that day."
Tupper then asked for a moment of silence.
"Father, we gather to remember those whose lives were lost, and the brave individuals who helped save many lives," said Marshalltown Fire Department chaplain David Shearer of Marshalltown. "We also honor those who are serving today – those who are fearless – that go in with calm and do their duties. We thank you for each and every individual who serves in the fire and police departments and ask for your protection on this house (the joint facility) and individuals who serve."
Marshalltown Fire Chief David Rierson said 343 New York City firefighters, 23 New York policemen and others gave their lives attempting to save and protect. Those losses continue today, as more than 300 New York firefighters have died from cancer and respiratory illnesses since working at the WTC site. Today we gather to honor and pay our respects."
The combined Marshalltown American Legion/Veterans of Foreign Wars color guard presented a 21-gun salute and "Taps" were played by an honor guard member to conclude the event.
"I was pleased with the message and the turn-out," said local businessman and veteran Vic Hellberg of Marshalltown.
Marshalltown's 9/11 Connection
Two men with significant connections to Marshalltown -- Mark Smith and and the late Carlos Portes -- played prominent roles assisting first responders and victims in the chaotic days and weeks following the attack.
Smith -- a mental health counselor who was then practicing in Marshalltown -- volunteered and provided thousands of hours of grief counseling to those in the New York City Metropolitan area who lost friends and loved ones in the WTC attack according to an interview with the Times-Republican in 2011. Smith, a Democrat, also won election to 10-two year terms as a state legislator representing Marshalltown and surrounding areas. He later was elected minority leader and later as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party.
Smith, an Osceola native, retired from the legislature in 2020 and also from his position with the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit of Central Iowa (SATUCI). He later moved with his family to Iowa City, Iowa.
Portes, who, as a Cuban refugee, spent his formative years in Marshalltown -- was living in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was owner of a successful insurance business and served on the board of directors of the American Red Cross and several New York city hospitals, among others.
He told the Times-Republican in a 2013 interview that he immersed himself into relief activities at Ground Zero. He handed out hygiene kits to aid workers, volunteers and the grieving. He was on the front lines, helping and comforting victims, at times coffering compassion to those who lost a loved one. Portes also served as a translator for media and others.
Portes later retired to Marshalltown, living in the same house in the 2000 block of West Main Street where he was supported by his host family, the late Leon and Catherine Hockett. Portes said he was forever grateful to the Hocketts and to parishioners at a Marshalltown Catholic Church -- who not only taught him English but how to become eloquent in writing and speaking. One of his first jobs was working at the RKO Orpheum Theater in the 200 block of East Main Street.
"Marshalltown was really the hub from which emerged the spokes of the wheel," he said.
Portes died in 2019.