Highland Park ceremony remembers 9/11 on 25th anniversary

The City of Highland Park welcomed the public to its Sept. 11, 2001, 25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Ravinia Festival Bennett Gordon Hall in Highland Park.

There were blue skies outdoors on the North Shore for 2026, with temperatures and sunny weather reminiscent of 9/11/2001 here and in New York City.

Inside the auditorium of Bennett Gordon Hall, many seats in the audience were occupied by elected Lake County officials, including some from Highland Park and Highwood.

The 9 a.m. ceremony lasted just under an hour with a program featuring the Pledge of Allegiance by the North Suburban Special Recreation Association.

The singing of the national anthem was performed by soloist Clara Gillis, 17, of Highland Park and a senior at Highland Park High School.

Being 17, Gillis acknowledged the fact that she was not alive at the time of 9/11/2001, 25 years ago.

“I’m just incredibly grateful that I was given the chance to sing the national anthem; I feel incredibly honored,” Gillis said.“I’m very grateful that I get to take part in this remembrance even though I didn’t experience it.”

The ceremony began with the Highland Park Police and Fire Honor Guard placing the colors.

Rabbi Michael Schwab of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El of Highland Park offered the invocation. Highland Park Mayor Nancy R. Rotering welcomed the audience also from the podium on stage.

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“Twenty-five years ago, people in Highland Park and across the country and around the world watched in horror as terrorists weaponized civilian aircraft, causing the death of 2,977 people,” Rotering said.

“Each person impacted was unique and beloved.

“As we remember the lives taken on Sept. 11, 2001, we also remember the people still suffering from the effects of that day,” Rotering said.

Before the bell ceremony, Highland Park Chief of Police Louis Jogmen and Highland Park Fire Chief Joseph Schrage offered keynote remarks with a moment of silence in between.

“What was a defining moment for many of us here today is a history lesson to others,” Jogmen said about educating youth and young adults.

Schrage spoke of Highland Park fire personnel who traveled to New York City to support rescue and recovery efforts and asked if anyone in the audience experienced similar service in New York City. At least two people stood.

Schrage also acknowledged first responders who traveled to New York City knowing that they would have to bear, “witness to the grief of the loved ones mourning some of the 300 firefighters who were killed in the line of action.”

Mike Moore of the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band sounded “Taps” via bagpipes from the balcony to conclude the program. The Highland Park High School string quintet performed as the auditorium emptied.

After the ceremony, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-10th) of Highland Park said, “9/11 united us as a nation in 2001 and we need to draw that spirit to reunite the nation 25 years later.”

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.