20th Anniversary of 911Looking Back At September 11 & 16, 2001

Sept. 11, 2001 at Noon

Gov. Jesse Ventura holds a news conference in front of the Capitol along with Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver, right, and Chief of the State Patrol Anne Beers, left, to read a statement about the tragic events of the day and to assure Minnesotans that measures were taken to make the state safe and to ask that people remain calm but alert.

Gov. Ventura’s statement:

Sept. 16, 2001

Several thousand people gathered on the front lawn of the Capitol for Minnesota Remembers - A Memorial From The Heartland to honor the lives lost when jetliners were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and that crashed in a Pennsylvania field when passengers fought back against the terrorists. Several thousand people filled the front lawn of the Capitol while Minnesota’s political dignitaries lined the top step of the Capitol for the memorial. Political dignitaries included Vice President Walter Mondale, U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, Minnesota’s U.S. Congressional Delegation, Gov. Jesse Ventura, Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz, State Constitutional Officers, state legislative leaders and former Governor’s Orville Freeman, Elmer L. Anderson, Wendell Anderson, Al Quiet and Arne Carlson. All denominations of the religious community were on hand and took part in the memorial service. Music was provided for the service by the U of M Marching Band, Sounds of Blackness, Emerald Society of Pipes and Drums and the Metropolitan Boys Choirs. The 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard did a fly-over as four wreaths were laid in honor of members of the armed services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, firefighters and in honor of citizens who were victims of the attack. Minnesota Remembers - A Memorial From the Heartland concluded with the singing of “God Bless America”.

Minnesota’s political dignitaries lined the top step of the Capitol.

Ron Flostrand, Ruth Stohl-Flostrand and Scott Bowes got up close for Minnesota Remembers - A Memorial From the Heartland in honor of the victims of the terror attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

Shelley Lee watches a fly-over of the Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing.

Pete Salmon holds his son Andrew on his shoulders during Minnesota Remembers - A Memorial From the Heartland in honor of the victims of the terror attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

Rowan McDeid painted his face to attend the memorial.

Gretke Langeland Dillion holds her daughter Samantha Martin as they listen to remarks and music.

Some in the crowd became emotional as the Minnesota families of the victims, Gordon Aamoth, Charles Burlingame and Thomas Burnett lay a wreath for those who lost their lives on 9/11 during the terrorist attack.