9/11 remembrance at fairgrounds goes deeper than words

There were no speeches and no announcements, just the sound of bagpipes and the American flag whipping in the breeze during a simple 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center on Thursday.

Members of the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office honor guards marched solemnly to the flagpole near the fair entrance and placed a wreath in memory of the civilians and first responders who died in the terrorist attacks 13 years ago. They stood at attention as bagpipers played “Amazing Grace.”

The short ceremony came to a close without a word spoken as one of the bagpipers, now playing alone, walked down the fairway with the sound of his music fading into the distance.

“The solo piper at the end signifies that we leave this world alone,” Spokane Valley Fire Capt. Rob Proctor said after the ceremony. “That’s why he just fades away at the end.”

The silent crowd that gathered seemed to appreciate the simple ceremony, with several shaking the hands of the honor guard members who participated, thanking them.

“It was very well done,” said Laurie Stewart. “It’s a day that we need to remember.”