POULSBO — Like the oppressive weight hearts throughout the nation felt Sept. 11, the clouds and poor weather lifted Monday afternoon in Poulsbo as local businesses paid tribute to America on the six-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Employees from Boxlight Corporation, Projector Wholesale Supply and Drury Construction gathered on Powder Hill to show a renewed sense of patriotism as Old Glory flew from a recently constructed flag pole at the complex. The flag and pole were bought with $2,500 Boxlight and PWS workers had donated last December. The pole was set in a foundation built by their neighbors at Drury.

More than 50 people, including workers and representatives from the Poulsbo Fire Department, gathered to watch the Marine Color Guard raise the red, white and blue to music provided by the Navy Band on the solemn occasion.

But while the tone of the event was somber, feelings of American pride could not be hidden as the flag caught its first gusts of wind and flew high over Poulsbo.

“I for one will always remember where I was and what I was doing at that horrific moment in time. I thought of all the people I speak to daily in the areas attacked,” PWS representative Todd Teachenor said, recalling his immediate response to the Sept. 11 tragedies in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. “And though they are voices of faces I have never seen, I was concerned for their safety. Time passed and I began to receive calls from those I had worried about and thankfully they were safe.”

“But as I felt relief for them, I could not help but feel for the friends and family that would not get a call,” he added before urging everyone at the event to always remember the strong foundation on which America was built.

“I ask you never to forget what happened that day, the bad and the good that came after this tragedy,” Teachenor remarked. “As you see this flag, let it be a constant reminder of all the freedoms we have. Freedoms we should never take for granted.”

Herb Myers, president and CEO of Boxlight, echoed Teachenor’s comments but added a touch of historical reference to the ceremony to drive the point home for all in attendance.

“It is interesting how our lives have changed subsequent to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Before, we would probably have just raised the pole, hoisted the flag and gone about our business,” Myers told the crowd. “But now, we all view it as a solemn date in our history and one which needs to be commemorated.”

“As I stand here all I can feel is pride,” Myers said, thanking the group for its donations, armed forces for their bravery and police officers and firefighters for their heroism. “Acts like this are truly what make the United States of America great.”

Myers went on to explain that approximately 59 years ago in Washington, D.C. another dedication was taking place to mark the completion and opening of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

“Just as the Jefferson Memorial celebrates the continuing success of the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — the flag pole we dedicate today stands as a monument to the American spirit which Jefferson valued so highly,” Myers said. “This flag pole is a tribute to the true spirit of America.”