All eyes might be on Laramie today (sorry, Texas), but Friday was reserved for remembering and honoring at a sun-washed Patriot Day observance in Casper's Veterans Park.

Planned by Gary Cohee and members of The American Legion Post No. 2, the 30-minute observance featured a triple dose of stirring, patriotic music; prayer and a deeply personal message from Susan Thomas, who on Sept. 11, 2001, was with her husband, U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) in the nation's capital.

To the roughly 50 veterans and first responders and their families in attendance, Thomas said, "You are great believers who have been willing to give the last full measure so we can be free."

Speaking of the victims of that day eight years ago, Thomas said, "I hope we take a moment to imagine those people early that morning, gathering in their kitchens, eating breakfast, planning their days, kissing their families good-bye, not knowing that they would never, ever go home again."

She recalled traveling with her husband past the Pentagon that afternoon, as they did nearly every day, and seeing the air choked with thick black smoke from the jet fuel that would not extinguish.

And she recalled gathering with 535 members of Congress on the steps of the Capitol as leaders of both houses looked into television cameras "not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans," and reassured the nation in that frightening time.

"Then 535 men and women (Fritz Cubin and I were the only two spouses there I know of), came together with hearts and voices unplanned, unrehearsed, and sang, shakily at first, 'God Bless America.'"

Thomas said when the singing ended, they left without a word and went home "to pray for strength to help make the right decisions."

"We all know freedom is not free," she said. "Each of us has a responsibility every day to make this country, this world a better place."

After Thomas finished speaking, master of ceremonies Stan Lowe led those in attendance in the singing of "God Bless America."

While remembering the victims of 9/11, the observance also served to salute local first responders. In attendance were six members of the Casper Fire Department, including Chief Mark Young; three members each from the Casper Police Department and Natrona County Sheriff's Office and two members of the Evansville Police Department, including Chief Zach Gentile.

Rev. Susan Honn of Grace Lutheran Church delivered a moving benediction or closing prayer, saluting veterans such as her father who served more than 20 years in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, but also the families of those who serve both in combat and as first responders.

"They are left to wait, to pray, to worry and to support," she said. "In our church, we pray for the families, as well as veterans and first responders, every week."

Opening and closing the ceremony were Vietnam Marine veteran Kenn Gilchrist, who sang a powerful National Anthem, and trombonist Robert D. Meloy, whose soulful rendition of "Taps," provided a solemn ending.

Congress approved the bill establishing Patriot Day as a national day of remembrance and it was signed into law by President George W. Bush in December 2001. In addition to calling for a time of remembrance for those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, flags are to fly at half-staff each September 11 and a moment of silence is to be observed annually at 6:46 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, the moment that the first of four planes flown by terrorists hit the World Trade Center in New York City.

Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com. Read Sal's blog at tribtown.trib.com/Sal/blog and follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WYOSAS