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Cedar Park American Legion has special connection to 9/11

Every year since its formation, the American Legion Post hosts a memorial ceremony in Veterans Memorial Park in Cedar Park.

CEDAR PARK, Texas — The Cedar Park 9/11 memorial hosted by American Legion Hunter-Morris Post 911 focused on the people: the bystanders who died, the heroes who saved others.

"The first responders would still go in again if they had to or needed to," Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger said.

Mallinger was the keynote speaker Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park. The ceremony consisted of moments of silence the same time as the monumental moments during the terror attacks of Sept. 11, various speakers from public safety and local military representatives.

Each speaker echoed similar sentiments, the common denominator being "Never Forget."

This American Legion Post won't ever forget the attacks. Formed 10 years ago, the founders chose 911 specifically.

"We picked 9/11 so that we would be able to remind the community that we will never forget. And that's our purpose, is to never forget," Post Commander PT Turner, a Vietnam Navy veteran, said.

Turner, along with Cedar Park Mayor Corbin Van Arsdale in his speech Saturday, compared the attacks to other landmark tragedies in American history.

"I never thought that we would never, ever see another Pearl Harbor. We saw another Pearl Harbor 20 years ago today," Turner said.

"My grandparents would say they would always remember where they were when Pearl Harbor was attacked. My parents say they remember where they were when [President John F. Kennedy] was shot. Our generation remembers where we were when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center," Van Arsdale said.

People around the world say "Never Forget" on Sept. 11, every year. Turner talked specifically about who they honor and why they honor them.

"Always remember what those folks did, not only the ones that were innocent and died in it, but the ones that ran toward the the building knowing that they were putting their lives in danger. Sure death in some cases. And they went anyway," Turner said.

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