A hero’s honor to a local firefighter

It evoked a keen sense of sadness and regret. 
Feelings of distress overcame me last week as I walked through the “Tunnel to Tower” exhibit at the Dodge County Fair. 
The 9/11 Never Forget display brought back vivid memories of watching those horrifying images on television of planes flying into the Twin Towers in New York, setting the stage for one of the most horrific days in modern day American history. The exhibit provided some meaningful interactive education of artifacts, videos and audio recordings of radio transmissions. 
This was by far one of the most poignant displays I have ever taken in my years of traveling around the state to various county fairs. It was tragic, moving, touching and sorrowful all wrapped together into one. 
Perhaps what was even more distressing than the exhibit itself was the opening ceremony on the first day of the fair. Behind the backdrop of a flag prominently displayed on the fire department’s ladder truck, bag pipers and a color guard marched in formation as local and state dignitaries waited inside a tent to share their remembrances of the horrible event. Local public safety heroes also stood in formation throughout the program.
The main message shared throughout the program was a simple, but important one: “Less we never forget.” Americans must not ever forget how terrorists abroad three hijacked planes carried out suicide attacks on American soil. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost that fateful day in 2001. We can’t forget how 9/11 proved to be a catalyst to terrorism around the world. 
Someone who deserves an incredible amount of gratitude for helping fairgoers get a greater understanding of 9/11 and bringing the display to Dodge County is Kasson firefighter Steve Jurrens. He saw a video clip about Stephen Siller’s traveling exhibit and hustled to make it a reality in a relatively short period of time.
Jurrens originally had hoped to get the display for 2017, which will be the 140th anniversary of Kasson Fire and the 160th of the Dodge fair. But foundation organizers called him wondering if he would like it this year as it was already going to be elsewhere in the Midwest around the same time period. 
For the past few months, Jurrens has visited with local city councils, county commissioners, businesses and individuals seeking funds to bring the display to the fair. He wouldn’t reveal the exact cost of the display, but assured me enough funds were raised. 
“We’re golden,” Jurrens said as a line formed to view the display at last week’s fair. “We’ll actually have a little extra left and it will go to the (Siller) foundation,” he said, adding no money will stay with any of the public safety agencies in the county. 
Asked about his impressions of the display, Jurrens said: “It’s was tough. It makes us aware to watch what’s going on. We need to be vigilant.”
Aside from the actual 9/11 artifacts, Jurrens used the event to draw attention to public safety organizations throughout Dodge County. Personnel took turns during the fair to host the display. “I wanted to engage everyone in Dodge County— police, fire, EMS and the sheriff,” he said.  
“It was to build a rapport in each of the communities,” he said. “We’re providing the best service available,” he added.
More than 7,000 fairgoers ventured through the display. “It brings a better unity to the whole county,” Jurrens said. 
The local firefighter hopes everyone saw this as a remembrance and an honor. “If you don’t refresh history, it kind of fades,” he said. “We need to remember these people.”
Jurrens didn’t battle in the 9/11 rescue efforts, but he deserves a hero’s honor for going in hot pursuit of educating area residents about one of the worst attacks in history.