Kishwaukee Community Hospital and the DeKalb and Sycamore Fire Departments joined forces Sunday to sponsor “Honoring the Past,” a Sept. 11 memorial service.

The event, held in the Healing Gardens at Kish, was attended by numerous area citizens, chaplains, veterans, scout troops and several local police and fire departments. Also in attendance were state Rep. Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley), , and keynote speaker Brigadier General Steven Huber.

“We gather to remember those who lost their lives 10 years ago, and in the subsequent war against terrorism,” Pritchard said.

Speakers reminded the audience that Sept. 11, 2001 was a tragic event, but that it also brought communities together.

“September 11 will always be a day that represents humanity at its worst, and humanity at its best,” Huber said. It brought to the forefront the importance of our communities.”

Sycamore Fire Department Chief Mark Kessler urged attendees to remember Sept. 11 and how it made our nation stronger.

“Remember what you felt that day; the wounds we felt were deep and the scars still remain,” Kessler said. “We met adversity head on and we will continue to meet challenges with American resolve.”

The memorial was well received by service members and the community alike.

“The ceremony was excellent,” said Dan Mojica, NIU Police officer. “It was great to see fire departments, police departments and the community come together.”

Service personnel were appreciative of the hospital’s efforts in organizing the memorial.

“It meant a lot to the fire departments, police departments, and those in the community,” said Zach Wright of the Cortland Fire Department. “It was a way to look back at an event that changed the nation in both a negative and positive way.”