Merrill marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with prayer, silence, and bells

Twenty-five years after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, members of the Merrill community gathered in solemn remembrance to honor the victims, first responders, and heroes of that life-changing day. The quarter-century memorial service brought together local residents, Lincoln County officials, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Honor Guard, the Merrill Fire Department, the Merrill Police Department, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Opening prayer: Deacon Jim Arndt
The memorial service began with a solemn opening prayer led by Deacon Jim Arndt of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Deacon Arndt called on the community to gather in peace, unity, and healing. “Heavenly Father, God of peace and mercy, we come before you today as a community gathered from different backgrounds, walks of life, and beliefs, but united in this moment of solemn remembrance,” he said. “We come before you today with humble and quiet hearts as we look back on a day that forever changed our nation.”
He went on to give thanks for the selflessness displayed amidst the darkness of that day: “We want to thank you, Lord, for the extraordinary display of human goodness and heroism we witnessed in the midst of that darkness. We remember the gratitude, the courage of the first responders, the firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, and military members ... May the memory of those we lost inspire us to build a safer, kinder, and more hopeful world.”

Merrill Mayor Steve Hass addresses those gathered
Following the prayer, Merrill Mayor Steve Hass spoke to the crowd, emphasizing how the tragedy brought out the absolute best in everyday citizens and first responders alike. Reflecting on the 25-year milestone, Mayor Hass said, “It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since 9/11. We all remember where we were and the weight of that morning. We saw the worst of humanity, but right after that, we saw the absolute best. First responders ran towards the danger while others ran away. And ordinary people stepped up to help strangers without hesitation.”
Mayor Hass reminded attendees that keeping the memory of the fallen alive requires carrying their spirit of service into daily life. “The best way we can honor them is by bringing that same spirit of dignity, strength, and duty into our everyday lives right here in Merrill,” he said. “We don’t forget. We stand firm. We remember our fallen. And we look out for one another.”

Reflections from Lincoln County Vice Chair Jesse Boyd
Lincoln County Vice Chair Jesse Boyd was the third speaker to address the gathering, refocusing the audience on the shared humanity and courage demonstrated in 2001.

“Today is not about remembering the tragedy,” Vice Chair Boyd said. “It’s about remembering the people ... September 11th showed us something about the American spirit. In the middle of the fear and uncertainty, strangers helped strangers. Communities came together. People stood shoulder-to-shoulder, united by our shared humanity.”
He closed his remarks by urging the community to carry that remembrance forward continuously: “As we remember that day, we will never forget the cost of freedom, the courage of those who protect it, and the importance of standing together. Let us honor the loss by keeping their memory alive, not today, but every day.”

A moment of silence and the ringing of the bells at 7:46 a.m.
Following the speeches, Mayor Hass asked those in attendance to observe a solemn moment of silence leading into 7:46 a.m.
Holding the moment of silence at 7:46 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) in Merrill directly aligns with 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in New York City — the precise moment American Airlines Flight 11 struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower.

As the Lincoln County Courthouse bells tolled during and following the moment of silence, other churches throughout Merrill also chimed their bells at that exact moment, allowing the sound of solemn bells to echo across the entire city of Merrill in memory of every life lost.

Merrill’s personal connection: remembering Jason Douglas Oswald
The tragedy of 9/11 hit close to home for the Merrill community, represented by a local memorial plaque located on the former Ott’s Garage property.
The plaque honors Jason Douglas Oswald, who perished in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Jason was the son of the former owners of the Candlewick Inn in Merrill, located at the corner of West Main and State Streets.
The inscription on the plaque reads: “This building is dedicated to the youth of Merrill, WI in remembrance of Jason Douglas Oswald who perished in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001”

Through this plaque and annual memorial gatherings, the City of Merrill ensures that the sacrifices, heroes, and lives lost on that September morning are never forgotten.