When Buchanan’s David Mitchell thinks of Sept. 11, 2001, he remembers standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three weeks after the tragedy.

Mitchell is a pastor with Faith Victory Church and he served as a chaplain alongside Buchanan police and firefighters who volunteered their time to assist first responders continuing to work at the scene in New York City.

“Our biggest job was to bring in encouragement because we are trained in post-traumatic stress disorder,” Mitchell said. “They [first responders] were working 16 hour shifts.”

With those first responders in mind and the remains of those he saw lifted from the rubble, Mitchell has since helped to organize Patriot Day, which takes place annually on Sept. 11 and serves as a day of remembrance.

This year, the 16th annual Patriot Day will take place at 7 p.m. Monday in the Buchanan Commons Area.

The event will be hosted by the American Legion Post 51, Buchanan City Police and Fire Chaplains and The Buchanan Area Ministerial Association.

The American Legion and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department will lead a Casing of the Colors ceremony. Band students from Buchanan High School will play the national anthem.

Buchanan Mayor Brenda Hess will address the crowd, in addition to Sen. John Proos and a representative from U.S. Rep. Fred Upton’s office. Other attendees will include the Boy Scout Troop and members of the American Heritage group. A moment of invocation will also be included in the event.

“I think it is just a good thing, especially with all the stuff that is going on we need some unity,” Mitchell said.

A testament to that is the event’s dual goal of raising money for Hurricane Harvey relief. Additionally, the Blue Star Mothers will be collecting hygiene supplies to send to military personnel overseas.

The event is free and open to the public to attend, but Mitchell hopes those interested will consider donating to one of the causes.

Among those remembered will be the first responders at the scene Sept. 11, working round the clock to save lives. Mitchell said he hopes to show today’s responders that the community supports them through this event.

Recalling his time helping the nation to bounce back from the tragedy 16 years ago, Mitchell remembered the scale of the rubble.

Mitchell returned to the Sept. 11 site twice as a volunteer. Volunteers paid out of pocket for the trip. He would return again a month later, this time to volunteer with the Buchanan Township Fire Department. Mitchell said the Michigan State Police were also among the volunteers working at the scene following the tragedy.

“It was surreal,” Mitchell said. “The destruction was beyond description.”

In a world of fast paced news, Mitchell is hoping to keep the sacrifices made on Sept. 11 fresh in people’s minds. 

“Once it is over and gone we forget,” Mitchell said. “It is good to keep what happened fresh in our mind and how many lives were lost.  And to honor the first responders.”

In case of rain, the event will take place at First United Methodist, 132 S Oak St. Buchanan.

On Sunday, the Berrien County Riders will also commemorate 9/11 with the 17th annual Ride to Remember motorcycle run, which runs from St. Joseph to Dowagiac. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph, at 811 Port St.; the fee is $15 per person. Proceeds from the memorial ride will go toward the Berrien County Red Cross.