American Legion Memorial Post 98 Commander and Air Force Veteran Mike Burke, center, along with members of the American Legion riders and supportive associates of the post located on Baboosic Lake Road in Merrimack, gather to mark the 24th anniversary of four terrorist attacks upon America that took place on Sept. 11, 2001 — known worldwide as 9/11. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

MERRIMACK – Members and associates of American Legion Riders Chapter 98 of the American Legion Post 98 in Merrimack have long been a powerful two-wheeled presence at Independence Day parades, Memorial Day events, military funerals and related occasions of high regard.

The evening of the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks upon the United States in 2001 brought them together once more to honor the nearly 3,000 documented innocents and first responders killed that day.

“Post 98 Legionnaires, riders, sons and auxiliary will always take the opportunity to pay tribute to those lost on 9/11,” said Mike Burke, post commander and U.S. Air Force veteran. “Everyone should make an effort to bring back the American pride we felt on 9/12.”

The nearly 50 participants on site at Post 98 were unified in renewing a commitment to embrace freedom through the reinforcement of countrymen’s precious rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Commemorations nationwide remembered the civilians and emergency personnel lost in the double targets of the Twin Towers’ bombings by two hijacked aircraft in New York City and a third devastation from the deliberate crash of a jet plane into well-staffed offices of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

In addition, the crowd marked a selfless sacrifice that forever designated the Pennsylvania town of Shanksville as a shrine to dead heroes. There, United Airlines Flight 93 smashed into a swampy field after passengers and crew rushed forward to overwhelm four hijackers. The plane went down amid the fighting.

Experts contend the evildoers intended for that fourth target to be the Capitol or the White House in Washington, D.C.

The local remembrance of 9/11 commenced with a procession from a color guard manned by Merrimack police officers. A prayer was offered by veteran Tony Coelho, Navy veteran and post chaplain Remarks from Merrimack Town Manager Paul Micali enriched the gathering. Jane Dwayne, former commander of the nearby Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8641, added words of comfort.

An invitation was issued for attendees to add their sentiments from the podium. Veteran Larry Miller reinforced the value of American freedom. Air Force veteran Mike Burke shared his forever-etched memory of 9/11 and of another indelible recollection — the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 through domestic terrorism. The crime killed 166 people, including children in day care, and injured 800 more. Burke was stationed there at the time.

Later, a moving poem, “Attack on America,” written the morning after 9/11 in Philadelphia, was recited by its author, Loretta Jackson of Merrimack.

The American Legion Memorial Post 98 in Merrimack, a charter founded in 1953, welcomes all veterans, auxiliary members, sponsors, boosters and supporters. Funds raised through various activities are returned to the community at 100 percent for scholarships, projects, programs and assistance for veterans in need and their families.

More information on American Legion Memorial Post 98, 43 Baboosic Lake Road, is available online at americanlegionpost98.org.