‘Brings us together’: Heartland Honors 9/11 campaign recognizes 25 years since Sept. 11 attacks

The Omaha metro is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks with Heartland Honors 9/11, an initiative featuring 11 days of service to honor lives lost and first responders' bravery.

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‘Every act matters’: Community-wide campaign honors lives lost on 9/11, recognizes first responders’ sacrifices

OMAHA, Neb. —

Next month marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and the Omaha metro is launching an initiative to remember the lives lost and recognize the heroism of first responders. KETV is proud to serve as the media sponsor.

“Heartland Honors 9/11 brings us together with the shared goal of thanking our first responders, honoring the memory of those who lost their lives on that horrible day 25 years ago,” Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. said during a news conference Tuesday, kicking off the initiative.

Nearly 3,000 men, women and children were killed in the worst terror attack on U.S. soil.

Mutual of Omaha Chair and CEO James Blackledge spearheaded Heartland Honors 9/11. The goal is to remember the lives lost that day and thank first responders for their sacrifices. It also asks people to reflect on what happened in the aftermath of the attacks.

“Americans came together in the days that followed. Neighbors helped neighbors and the community stood united,” Omaha fire Chief Kathy Bossman said. “Service became a way to heal, and Heartland Honors was built on that enduring legacy.”

Blackledge said they reached out to the First Responders Foundation, which helped put them in touch with other partners.

Mayors from across the Omaha-Council Bluffs region, along with organizations like Share Omaha and leaders from Offutt Air Force Base, joined Mutual of Omaha on Tuesday.

“We remember the nearly 3,000 people that lost their lives. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger when everyone else was trying to get away from it,” said Col. Aaron T. Gray, commander of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base. “We remember the service members and their families who answer our nation’s call in the months and years that followed.”

As part of the initiative, people can place signs in their yard as a way to show gratitude.

“Make it very visible that we support our first responders. And the nice thing is we got on our website an active list of where those are being distributed,” Blackledge said. “To me, that extends to health care workers. That extends to, you know, I mean, we even talk about folks that are like linemen for OPPD who help us.”

The campaign also features 11 days of service starting Sept. 1.

“It was an idea of, you know, look, the service that our first responders provide for us, wouldn’t it be nice if we could reciprocate and turn that around?” Blackledge said.

Acts of service include volunteering, small acts of kindness or charitable donations.

“Every act matters in this community. We take care of our neighbors every day. Heartland Honors 9/11 provides an opportunity to make those acts of service visible and collective,” said Teresa Mardesen, executive director of Share Omaha.

To see where to pick up a Heartland Honors 9/11 sign, learn how to volunteer or how to donate, click here.

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