Haley Stevens: “In the morning hours of September 11 our nation endured a terrible tragedy. Though thousands of miles from the crash…”

“In the morning hours of September 11 our nation endured a terrible tragedy. Though thousands of miles from the crash sites, the response from our "Last Frontier" was overwhelming. Alaskans rushed to aid the victims of the terrorist attacks. They volunteered rescue dogs and handlers. They waited in line for three hours to donate blood. Some boarded planes and traveled to Ground Zero to aid in the search and rescue efforts. In December, those Alaskans were still there clearing debris. Alaskans who could not travel to the crash sites offered support in other ways. Over 10,000 Alaskans signed two fifty-foot banners bearing the phrase "Love and Prayers, from the People of Alaska." One banner was presented in New York City by Alaskan firefighters. The other now hangs in the Pentagon. Countless Alaskans donated funds to help victims through the economic hardships brought on by the attacks. In Kenai, the Firefighters Association petitioned our state to name a mountain after St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, as a tribute to firefighters killed in the World Trade Center. This year, Alaskans once again join the nation in mourning and remembrance.”