HELENA — At the Fort Harrison Chapel, the Montana National Guard held a remembrance service as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of September 11th.
Watch: The Montana National Guard held a remembrance ceremony at Fort Harrison Chapel
For many Americans, the memories of September 11th remain vivid even years later.
“I was 10 years old at the time, so I was young,” recalled Major Cory Godfrey, “but it was enough for it to mean something.”
Guard members, veterans, and families gathered to reflect on sacrifice, resilience, and unity.
The ceremony included four rings of the chapel bell — one for each of the hijacked planes — as well as a flame of remembrance honoring those killed in the attacks.
Private Solveig Loftsgaard, who wasn’t yet born when the attacks happened, says she’s gained a deeper understanding of the event through the stories of others.
“It - it adds a lot more gravity to be here and to hear stories of the older generation of where they were and what they were feeling when those events happened,” she said.
Guard members also shared their own memories of that day — and how 9/11 shaped their decision to serve.
“It was a lot to process at the time,” Godfrey said. “I think it was the first thing I remember that was at a national level and a national headline where it's like, this is something affecting all of us as Americans.”
The attacks also changed the role of the National Guard in the years that followed.
“We're now a combat-ready reserve force, and that’s continuing in the future, which wasn't the case in the past,” Godfrey said. “That was shaped by 9/11.”
Members say the spirit of unity that was seen after the attacks still resonates today.
“We see all the time how people are always willing to jump in in an emergency regardless of what their role is, whether they're in uniform and whether they’re paid or not, and I think that gives us strength,” Godfrey said.
The ceremony served not only as a moment of remembrance, but a reminder of the service and sacrifice that followed — and the responsibility to ensure future generations will never forget.
