Photo by Deb Gau Students from Holy Redeemer School in Marshall step up for a closer look at a beam from the World Trade Center during 9/11 memorial observances on Wednesday morning. Speakers said it was important to pass on the memories of lives lost in the 2001 terror attacks.

MARSHALL — People were gathered in Marshall’s Memorial Park to reflect on the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. But it wasn’t just a time to remember — it was a time to teach, former Marshall Fire Chief Marc Klaith said.

As keynote speaker at Wednesday’s 9/11 memorial program, Klaith talked directly to the elementary school students in the audience.

“This changed our country’s history,” he said. “I know that you were not born then, but you need to know that our country, and the world, changed that day.”

Members of the public, including students from Holy Redeemer School, attended the program and visited the 9/11 and veterans memorials in the park.

The memorial program was “a really special event,” said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes, as he greeted the audience.

“This is the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, and it’s the 13th year that we’ve had this event,” he said.

Byrnes and Klaith explained some of the symbolism of the park’s 9/11 memorial, from the piece of metal beam recovered from the World Trade Center in New York, to the pavement bricks engraved with stars to represent each of the lives lost in the 2001 terror attacks.

The circular shape of the memorial also served as a reminder of the importance of community in response to the tragedy, he said.

“In our daily lives, we have a lot of orbits that go around, and it really works when we come together,” Byrnes said.

Speakers reflected on the impact the Sept. 11 attacks had on people’s everyday lives.

“Most of us remember where we were, and how life changed that day,” Klaith said.

“On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was a freshman sitting in study hall at St. Croix Lutheran High School in West St. Paul,” said the Rev. Dan Herold, who gave an invocation at the program. “That’s when we first started to hear about a plane crash in New York. Second period, we went outside for phy ed. Being so close to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, we were used to seeing planes coming and going almost constantly. But that morning, the sky felt very empty.”

However, Herold went on to say that God was still watching over the nation in the aftermath of the attacks, and called on the crowd to remember the people who stepped forward to respond and help.

“We’ll never forget those who lost their lives due to the attack on September 11, 2001, and all those who nobly aided their fellow Americans in a time of need,” Klaith said. “Today we remember all the innocent lives taken too soon. Our hearts and prayers still go out to those who mourn loved ones who were taken from them. We remember the law enforcement and public safety officers who also demonstrated enormous courage that day, and the following days.”

As the years go by, there will be more people who might not fully understand the impact of 9/11, Klaith said. It would be important to share those stories into the future.

“It is our job to ensure the memory of this day lives on for generations to come,” Klaith said.