Southeast Minnesotans remembered 9/11 on its 10th anniversary Sunday, in public ceremonies and private thoughts.
"Today, we recall the horror of it all," said Jane Belau of Rochester, at a ceremony held at New LIfe Worship Center. "Today, we remember never to forget."
A long list of public events began with a 8:30 a.m. firefighters ceremony at Silver Lake Park. Other public events were held at Apache Mall, which hosted a musical tribute, and New Life Worship Center, which was adorned with hundreds of flags and attracted a crowd of about 500 people, according to organizers.
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Rev. Colleen Hoeft, of South Troy Wesleyan Church, spoke of her experience remembering 9/11, a memory now colored by her sons' military service.
"It's hard to get through it sometimes, to think of the people who gave their lives," she said.
At Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, the Rev. Shelley Cunningham gave a sermon on "forgiveness."
She recalled praying on the day 10 years ago with a then-neighbor friend, who is Muslim.
"Maybe that is what forgiveness looks like," Cunningham said. "Christian hands holding Muslim hands, praying for peace."
