Sikhs in Ohio join 23rd anniversary memorial for 9/11  

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Indian Americans of Sikh heritage from Beavercreek, Dayton, Springfield and other neighboring cities in Ohio, gathered with hundreds of other community members at the Beavercreek 9/11 Memorial to observe the 23^rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The annual remembrance ceremony, organized by City’s Police and Fire Departments, honors the victims of the World Trade Center (WTC), the Pentagon, and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. The attacks claimed over 2,600 lives at the WTC, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 in Pennsylvania.

The Sikh community also took a moment to remember Balbir Singh Sodhi, the first victim of a post-9/11 hate crime. Sodhi was shot in Mesa, Arizona, four days after the attacks because of his Sikh appearance. His death was a tragic consequence of the rising wave of hate crimes against Sikhs, Muslims, and South Asians following the attacks.

The main ceremony featured the laying of wreaths and flowers, the lowering of the flag, the singing of the National Anthem, a press release from the Sikh Society of Dayton, said.

The ceremony also included a ceremonial bell ringing at 8:46am, marking the moment when American Airlines flight 11 struck the North Tower of the WTC. Beavercreek Mayor Don Adams delivered a commemorative message, reminding attendees of the importance of unity and remembrance.

Sameep Singh Gumtala, a community activist and member of the Sikh Society of Dayton, expressed the community’s collective sentiment.

“We gather to honor the men and women who tragically lost their lives, including the brave firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Gumtala is quoted saying in the press release. “These ceremonies are a time for us to stand together, regardless of background, to honor the victims and the heroism displayed on that tragic day.” He was joined by Dr. Charanjit Singh Gumtala, Avtar Singh, Springfield, Dr. Darshan Singh Sehbi and Dr. Simran Kaur Sehbi.

A prominent feature of the Beavercreek memorial is a 25-foot twisted steel beam, which once stood between the 101st and 105th floors of the North Tower of the WTC. The artifact was brought to Ohio by two firefighters from Ohio Task Force One, who participated in the rescue operations at Ground Zero. Many similar artifacts from the World Trade Center are installed at memorials across the United States, providing people a constant opportunity to pay their respects throughout the year.