Burns, Wyoming – On September 11, 2026, the small town of Burns gathered at Liberty Park to remember the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. At the center of the ceremony stood a solemn piece of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center, now serving as a living memorial for Julie Marie Geis, a Nebraska native who perished in the tragedy.
From Nebraska to Wyoming: A Family’s Connection
Julie Marie Geis grew up in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, a quiet community of about 450 residents. After a successful career as an executive with AON, she traveled to New York City for a meeting on the 102nd floor of the South Tower. When the hijackers struck, Geis was among the more than 170 employees who lost their lives.
Her niece, Amy Geis Curtis, recalls the day the news broke while she was in a high‑school Spanish class. “I was thinking about cheer practice later that day and selfishly thought, ‘At least I don’t know anyone who lives in that region.’” Curtis later learned that her aunt had perished, a loss that left the family without a physical gravesite.
Burns’ Gift of Remembrance
Unbeknownst to the Geis family, the town of Burns had secured a piece of the fallen towers in 2012 and installed it as the centerpiece of Liberty Park. The family discovered the memorial in 2024 while visiting friends in Burns. “It felt like more than a coincidence. It felt like Julie had somehow found her way back to us,” Curtis said.
Since February, the Geis family has made Burns their new home, and the steel fragment has become a place where children stop to say hello to their great‑aunt Julie. “Every time we visit, the kids love to stop and say hi to their great aunt Julie. She isn’t just a name in a history book; she is family,” Curtis added.
State Leaders Join the Tribute
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon addressed the crowd, urging residents to reflect on the civilian heroism displayed on September 11. “It is important to recognize their service and those who died, just as we honor our veterans. What we do with that memory matters most today,” he said.
U.S. House Representative Harriet Hageman, the Republican nominee for the open Senate seat, praised Wyoming’s steadfast patriotism. “The flame of patriotism may have waned in some parts of the country, but not here in Wyoming,” she declared.
Laramie County Commissioner Linda Heath, whose husband is a military veteran, highlighted the shared sense of duty among first responders and everyday citizens. “It doesn’t matter what badge you wear. You exemplify neighbors serving neighbors, and that is what makes America strong,” she said.
Community Reflection and Ongoing Legacy
The ceremony concluded with the folding of the American flag and a 21‑gun salute. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose, reminded that the sacrifice of September 11 continues to inspire service across the nation, from the East Coast to the wide‑open spaces of Wyoming.
For the Geis family, the steel fragment offers a tangible place to grieve, remember, and teach future generations about the cost of freedom. As they walk the park, they can touch a piece of the very place where Julie spent her final moments, a reminder that the spirit of sacrifice endures wherever Americans call home.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
