Lansing - The half-staffed American flag atop the state Capitol stood out against a clear blue sky.
More than 150 people, mostly dressed in red, white and blue, stood in the sun watching as speeches and prayers were given from the east steps of the building Wednesday.
Lisa Gnass chased after her daughter Maura who toddled toward the action.
“The ceremony has been very nice,” the Dimondale resident said, returning with her daughter in tow to a shady tree. “I really enjoyed all different dedications to service groups and the military.”
Gnass said she wanted to attend a memorial service for some time.
“Last year I didn’t get a chance to go because I was so busy,” she said. “This is something I really wanted to do.”
Passers-by stopped on bikes and on foot to see what was going on.
New Jersey natives Amy Siegel and Tim Kochka were in town as part of the cast of “Riverdance - The Show,” performing at MSU’s Wharton Center.
Kochka said he saw the attacks on the World Trade Center towers out of a school window. Siegel said there aren’t words to describe the aftermath of the attacks.
“It’s really weird to be away from family right now,” Siegel said.
“We were really close to where it happened. We all knew people who worked there. Everyone from our area was affected, they all knew someone. It was really, really scary.”
But being in a completely different part of the country on the anniversary has opened their eyes to something, Siegel said.
“It touched everyone,” she said. “It’s a national thing, not just a New York, D.C. or Pennsylvania thing. It’s good to see so many people supporting these memorials.”
Wednesday’s memorial service at the Capitol featured speeches and readings by state lawmakers including Democratic House Leader Samuel Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit, and House Speaker Rick Johnson, R-LeRoy. Lieutenant governor candidates Sen. Loren Bennett, R-Canton, and Sen. John Cherry, D-Clio, also addressed gatherers.
While it’s important to remember what happened, Lansing resident Tony Amirante said some cities have gone overboard in the number of memorials they’ve held.
“I think a couple speeches by the governor would be good,” the Lansing Community College student said. “I think people are overdoing it though. But, the ceremonies are nice.”
A prayer concluded the ceremonies as crowds dispersed the Capitol lawn.
