'Night
of Remembrance' held in Platte City
by Shana
Haines
Landmark reporter
About 400 people gathered last Wednesday evening at the
Wilson Performing Arts Center for a Night of Prayer and
Remembrance for victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept.
11, 2001.
Although it was a night to remember the tragic events
of Sept. 11, 2001, the evening was also to remember heroes
of the past.
Platte County R-3 Superintendent Dr. Mark Harpst presented
an Honorary Diploma to World War II veteran Victor F.
Fontanez.
"It is my pleasure to be here today. I am so happy
to attend. This is something I have waited on for a long
time. I thank Dr. Harpst and the people at the school,"
Fontanez said.
Fontanez was awarded an honorary diploma since he couldn't
graduate with his class due to being called to serve in
WWII.
The prayer service, hosted by the Platte City Ministerial
Alliance, offered several community leaders a chance to
discuss their feelings of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
"On Sept. 11, I experienced something for the first
time in my life that I never felt before - I felt fear.
I am proud of our schools, our town, our state for uniting
in patriotism," Harpst said.
The VFW Post 4005 of Platte City presented the colors
during the ceremony, while Jared Hall and Chris Triplett
performed Taps.
Patriotic themed songs were performed by the Community
Choir led by Trey Conlee. The audience was led by the
choir in a group singing.
Prayers were heard from Dr. Michael P. Harding on behalf
of rescue workers on Sept. 11, 2001. Leading prayers for
law enforcement officials was Platte City Police Department
officer Jeff Faudere.
Lt. Col. William Flynt, U.S. Army, led a prayer on behalf
of military, past and present.
The evening was capped off by speeches from Captain Donald
W. Hansen, Station Captain, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. and
the Rev. Mike Davidson, Platte City United Methodist Church.
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