Completing 'The Circle of Unity'

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By Sheena Dooley | Tuesday, September 12, 2006 12:22 PM CDT | () comments

(The Associated Press) Two pillars of light representing the twin towers of the World Trade Center shine over Manhattan as seen from Jersey City, N.J., on Monday night.

It started as a casual discussion among three firefighters in Scott County four years ago.

Almost a year had passed since two planes plowed into the World Trade Center, killing almost 3,000 people in America’s worst terrorist attack. Of those who lost their lives, 403 were rescue workers.

Half a country away, their counterparts wanted a way to remember the sacrifice they made.

Larry Guy, Blue Grass (Iowa) Fire Department chief, had an idea that would bring rescue workers from across Scott County together on the first anniversary of the attacks, while bringing residents in 14 towns onto the sidewalks to show their support.

Four years later, in an effort to mark the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, they brought back what they dubbed “The Circle of Unity.”

Firefighters, emergency medical workers and police officers gathered Monday afternoon in Walcott, Iowa, and started a trek that took them to 16 fire departments in Scott County, during which emergency response vehicles flashing their lights tagged onto a train of others that ended the 120-mile journey back in Walcott.

At each station, firefighters signed a fire service flag. An original flag from four years ago hung off the back of a Blue Grass fire engine, with signatures decorating it.

“Originally, it was supposed to be a relay,” Guy said. “But no one wanted to get out of the caravan. Four years ago, it was pretty emotional. We had a lot of people who wanted to go (to Ground Zero), but they held volunteers off.”

In 2002, 24 emergency vehicles lit up the streets of Walcott by the end of the trip, each carrying about four people. Guy expected similar numbers Monday, as he prepared to pull out of the fire station in Blue Grass.

In addition to the firefighters, police and ambulance workers, residents from the community came out to show their support. As the caravan pulled into stations across the county, they were greeted by groups of 20 to 30 residents, who gathered to remember.

“It is a very emotional thing to see the lights and solidness of the fire community coming together,” said Sharon Wood, president of the Blue Grass Fire Department Auxiliary. “It’s the fifth anniversary and no one will forget. It has a meaning to everyone of them.”

Sheena Dooley can be contacted at (563)383-2363 or sdooley@qctimes.com.