BONNERS FERRY — It was a time of tribute and remembrance as Boundary County residents gathered at the fairgrounds pavilion last Thursday to honor those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 

“Terrorism comes in all kinds of forms — planes flown into buildings, a knife on a train, a bullet on a platform, shots in a schoolyard, or arson and buckshot on an Idaho hillside,” Les Pine told the 60-plus people gathered for the annual ceremony. “In all of these, there are common threads. One, ignorant, hateful and irrational cowards are the perpetrators. Two, those cowards are all traitors to their homes, to their families, themselves and to humanity itself.” 

While those behind terrorism think they know best how the world should be structured or want to sow discord, Pine said that, as in Christianity’s early days, those attempts have failed. Instead, “rational people do not willingly give up their lives for a lie.” 

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were orchestrated to destroy the United States. Instead, they made it stronger and Americans more determined to persevere. However, recent events — including the death of a Ukrainian immigrant and the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk — show that wickedness remains. Rather than silence, the voices of those lost have been amplified, Pine said. 

“It was that way in the days following that horrific day in New York City 24 years ago, and it’s that way now,” he said. “The utterly irrational and wicked actions of these terrorists can only highlight the nobility of the cause of freedom and the demands of a holy creator. And in that light, we are united.” 

Pine encouraged the community to honor those lost — whether in the 2001 terrorist attacks or more recent victims. 

“The voice of these victims can never be silenced,” he added. 

In calling those gathered to pray, Chaplain Julian Gibbs reminded attendees that God’s love is steadfast and constant. While some waste time in moral distractions and place their faith and attention on worldly things or celebrities, Gibbs encouraged attendees to ask God for mercy and a path forward to heal those affected by terrorism and hate. 

“God, heal the brokenhearted, help the grieving and strengthen those who still carry the scars from the tragedy of Sept. 11,” Gibbs said. 

The attacks killed 2,977 people, excluding the hijackers, and injured more than 6,000. The deadliest terrorist attack in world history, the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, were the most devastating foreign assault on the United States since the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. 

Most of those killed were civilians, and 78 countries lost at least one citizen in the attacks, including 2,605 Americans. More than 340 first responders died while trying to save those in the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. 

Since 2001, more than 2,000 others have died from 9/11-related causes, including cancer, respiratory failure and suicide. 

All told, more than 5,000 people were killed. 

As the annual tribute came to a close, organizers asked for a moment of silence to honor those lost in the terrorist attacks and other acts of violence. 

After a recitation of the poem,“Forever Remembered”, those gathered were asked to pause for a moment of silence — one second for every 100 lives lost on Sept. 11. 

As organizers read the locations where victims died in 2001, a bell rang out for each: 

• American Airlines Flight 11, North Tower; 

• United Airlines Flight 175, South Tower;  

• American Airlines Flight 77, Pentagon;  

• United Airlines Flight 93, Shanksville, Pennsylvania;  

• and New York first responders. 

“You will never be forgotten,” Pine said. 

    Boundary County first responders salute as a bell tolls at a community memorial Thursday, Sept. 11, in honor of those who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
  

    Community members gathered last Thursday for a tribute to those lost in the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
  

    Local members of the color guard stand at attention at a Sept. 11, 2025, tribute to those lost,
  

    Community members stand as a Boundary County firefighter color guard walks into the pavilion to start the community's Sept. 11 memorial tribute on Thursday, SEpt. 11, 2025.
  

    More than 60 people attended the community's Sept. 11 memorial tribute on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.