By Daishan Roach Contributing writer "On September 11, 2001, in an unforgivable and horrific attack, terrorists robbed America of more than 3,000 lives. It wounded our nation in a way we had not known since the shock of Pearl Harbor. In bringing down the World Trade Center, damaging the Pentagon, and downing an airliner in a Pennsylvania field, the day ranks as a devastating mark on our nation's history. We vowed we would not forget."-á-á-á-á-á-á-á Those words were among the remarks by Kevin McMains, a speaker during the annual 9-11 Day of Service ceremony in Eatonville last Saturday. On Patriot's Day, 13 years after 9-11 occurred, about 175 citizens of Eatonville and surrounding areas gathered to give back to men and women in uniform and to the town.-á "It's about us. It's about our community. It's about our country. It's about serving our town. You could have been anywhere today, but you chose to be here,GÇ¥ said Krestin Behr, superintendent of Eatonville School District, as she thanked everyone who showed for the town's fifth National Day of Service and Remembrance.-á After an opening prayer, Cub Scout Pack 604, led by Dave Collins, presented and raised the nation's flag while high school student Natasha Henley beautifully sang "The Star-Spangled Banner.GÇ¥ A quiet moment was observed in remembrance of the nation's fallen heroes. McMains, a veteran, then shared his heartfelt thoughts. "My wish for everyone here is that they would fly the American flag to proudly tell all who see it that we citizens of Eatonville stand behind our men and women in uniform, and that our prayers and thoughts are with them wherever they must go to defend our way of life. They are America's newest wartime veterans. Thank you all for honoring them today,GÇ¥ McMains said. The crowd dispersed into the various job assignments and got to work. There were 13 projects, which included a food drive for the Eatonville food bank. Each of the town parks (Glacier View, Mill Pond, Smallwood and Nevitt), the community center, and the school district's high school and middle school were cleaned up by weeding, trimming and picking up litter. Headstones were scrubbed clean and overgrowth was cut back at the cemetery. The Van Eaton cabin doors at Mill Pond Park were sanded down and repainted. Street curbs were also repainted, and the tree wells lining streets were cleaned out and filled with bark. A tool shed was built at the community garden and dugouts were built at the Eatonville Elementary School baseball field. Volunteers of all ages were involved. Many families worked hard together alongside their neighbors and friends. Volunteers were fed a spaghetti lunch at the Methodist church upon completion of their work, a perfect way to come back together and visit about the service rendered and to feel good about giving back to their community. "God bless Eatonville, God bless all troops past, present and future. And God bless the United States of America," McMains said.
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