COON RAPIDS, Minn. – (Sept. 11, 2013) – It was a crystal clear, bluebird day this past Tuesday, September 11, much like it was in New York on that same day twelve years ago. On the bridge where Main Street crosses Highway 10 in Coon Rapids, event organizer Dan Hanson has led a sunrise to sunset vigil on Patriot Day for the past several years. He hopes that Americans will not forget the acts of valor and the lives that were lost at the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. “That year, 9/11 fell on the same day of the week as the attack, so I wanted to do something,” Hanson explains. What began with people from the Anoka-Hennepin school district evolved into a community-wide event.
Hanson had a special vision for this day of remembrance, one that he hopes will carry on in years to come. Says Hanson of his idea, “What I envisioned the first year that I started doing this was both sides of this bridge lined up with patriotic Americans holding flags and just listening to these people come through […] blasting their horns, giving everyone high-fives, and it’s been very rewarding.”
In addition, Hanson and his team have also organized a blood drive with the Red Cross, in cooperation with the Lowe’s off of Coon Creek Boulevard. The drive is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Patriot Day. Hanson hopes that Americans will give back to others in need on this special day of remembrance.
Although the vigil is an annual event, Hanson says numbers of participants have dwindled in recent years. The largest turnout occurred on the second year of the vigil; on that rainy day, Hanson estimates that hundreds people showed their support. “Maybe rain would be a good thing,” Hanson says with a laugh. “Personally, I want to see more people up here.” He explains the gratitude due toward servicemen and women, “It’s all about people that put their lives on the line for us.”
Hanson hopes that people who find themselves in Coon Rapids next Patriot Day will honk as they drive by, show their support, and maybe stop and stay a little while.
