Several hundred people gathered in Bandshell Park on Wednesday as Ames had its first day of remembrance in honor of the victims and heroes of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

On hand at the ceremony were Mayor Ted Tedesco, President Gregory Geoffroy, Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack, Douglas and Betty Haviland, the parents of Sept. 11, 2001 victim and Ames native Tim Haviland.

Representatives from local police and fire departments were also at the ceremony.

For the Havilands, the ceremony was a not only an opportunity to honor their son who was on the 96th floor of the north World Trade Center tower, it was an opportunity to say “thank you” to the people of Ames for all of their support.

“Let this event bind us together in compassion, understanding and peace,” Betty said. “The peace we seek now comes only when we exercise our compassion for others.”

She said it’s been difficult to cope with the loss of their son.

“It’s easy to be compassionate for the insiders, those of us who actually experienced a loss,” Betty said. “It’s hard to be compassionate for the outsider, I’ve been thinking, and for the parents of those who would kill in the name of God.”

Douglas said that even a year after the attacks, he still finds it hard to grasp the extent of the horror and pain that happened to his family that day.

“And, a year after Sept. 11, 2001, we seem to be faced with more questions than answers,” he said. “How we answer these questions will determine the course of history.”

Speaking on behalf of Iowa State, Geoffroy said acts such as those committed on Sept. 11, 2001, show how close-knit and supportive Ames, Iowa State and Story County is.

“We still feel the effects of Sept. 11 today, and it’s something we will feel for the rest of our lives. Yet, we gather not seeking retribution, but seeking resolution to such acts through understanding,” he said.

Vilsack added to Geoffroy’s words of understanding when she said Sept. 11, 2001, gave a new meaning to the word “hero.” The real heroes are the people who put themselves at risk every day in order to protect the rest of society, she said.

After a patriotic display by the Ames Municipal Band and a posting of the colors by the Ames Police and Fire Department Honor Guard, Tedesco expressed his gratitude to the crowd.

“That terrible day will be forever burned into our memories,” he said. “Your bravery, your lives will never be forgotten.”