QUINCY, ILL. -- The president called on Americans to remember first responders who demonstrated selfless courage and sacrifice eight years ago on Friday.
That's exactly what took place Friday afternoon in Quincy.
Fire, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel turned out for this half-hour prayer service at the South Park Shelter.
They also planted this tree in memory of those who perished in the terrorist attacks and for service men and women who suffered and died fighting terrorism.
The American Red Cross then served a free lunch following the service.
Brother Ed Arambasich, a chaplain for the Quincy Fire Department, served at Ground Zero months after 9-11.
Friday morning, he called some New York City firefighters whom he worked with following the attacks.
Brother Arambasich says many are still having a hard time dealing with the loss of life on that tragic day.
But he had some advice on how to move forward without forgetting.
Brother Arambasich was serving as chaplain for the New Orleans Fire Department when the 9-11 terrorist attacks happened.
Arambasich said, "It was something that I knew that God had a plan for me, and that plan was to serve those who serve others."
"I asked when do you want me to come out, and he asked why don't you come out six months from now," said Arambasich. "That's when it hits home that the people we love and care for in any situation that they're not coming back."
Arambasich said, "The people in New Orleans with Katrina, any kind of disaster. It's going to take a long time, and most people affected really have a terrible time moving on, and sometimes they never do."
The New York firefighters gave Brother Arambasich a glass cross found in the rubble at the World Trade Center.
He said, "I know we move on in life, but we can't forget either. We want to encourage each other that we're in this together. Our lives are woven together. "
Arambasich said, "What can we learn from all that? We can learn the lesson of love, compassion, forgiveness and to never forget and to be a positive role model to people in our lives, so that things like this will never happen again."
Brother Arambasich moved to Quincy shortly after his work in New York City.
"It is a privilege to be the servant to these firefighters here in Quincy, he said, "They are a true joy to work with. They have taught me what it means to be a faithful person of God. No matter what happens, they are there."
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