WENTZVILLE, Mo. – The Knights of Columbus remember and honor all the lives lost in the September 11 terror attack, 21 years ago. On Saturday, the organization hosted its annual Patriot Day Run to make sure no one forgets.
“It was a major event in our life. As time goes on, people tend to forget. We need events like this to remember that it happened and to ensure that it hopefully doesn’t happen again,” said Kevin Hudnut, chairman of the Patriot Day Run.
This is the eleventh anniversary of the Knights of Columbus Patriot Day Run. All proceeds go BackStoppers, the organization that helps families of police officers, firefighters, and EMS workers who die in the line of duty.
The run also benefits the USO of Missouri.
“I would hope all the youth would remember this day and what happened with our country. And [it’s] just a good showing of support for our firefighters and police officers today,” said Janet Hespen.
Each runner takes a paper with the name of someone who perished that day. Hespen was running with Officer Coke.
“Just knowing that that person will be with me throughout the run, and remembering his service that he put in for our country,” she said.
Hudnut said he vividly remembers where he was when he heard the towers were hit.
“I work at the GM plant here in Wentzville, and was on my way in, I was listening to sports radio here in St. Louis. And there was an emergency break-in, and they were talking about it,” he said.
More than 200 runners came out to show their gratitude.
