Emergency responders honored at ceremony

BOISE - Governor Jim Risch presided over a reflective ceremony on the Statehouse steps Monday morning with police, fire fighters and other first responders in attendance.

The ceremony was in observance of the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon, and Flight 93.

"Today, we honor the memory of the victims of that attack, and honor those that serve the public and put their lives in harms way in response to those in need," said Risch in his remarks. "We must never forget that this was an attack not just against our country, but against our ideals of liberty and freedom. No terrorist attack will ever destroy the greatness of those ideals."

With flags flying at half-staff throughout the Capitol mall, Risch signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 11 as Patriot Day in Idaho. Other speakers in the 30-minute ceremony included Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter, Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson and Meridian Fire Chief Ron Anderson. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, State Controller Keith Johnson and State Treasurer Ron Crane also participated in the ceremony.