Sandy and Les Knowles are reflected in the polished granite surface of the Veterans Monument in Sheffield, which bears the name of their son, Josh, killed in Iraq during February of 2004 while serving with the Mason City-based 1133rd Transportation Co.(Globe Gazette photo by Arian Schuessler)
MASON CITY — When Joshua Knowles heard that jetliners had slammed into the World Trade Center Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, he called his National Guard unit. He called several times during the day.
“He was working for his uncle at the time,” said Josh’s father, Les Knowles of Sheffield.
“We weren’t there, but his uncle told us about it,” Les Knowles said.
“Every time they took a break,” said Sandy Knowles, Josh’s mom, “he was on the phone. He just thought he had to call and see what was going on.”
Duty for the Iowa National Guard was limited in the days immediately following 9/11.
But eventually, when the 1133rd Transportation Co. was called into action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Knowles and the rest of his unit responded.
Spc. Joshua Knowles was killed in Iraq on Feb. 5, 2004, when the truck he was driving was struck by a mortar shell near Baghdad International Airport.
Looking at his name on the Veterans Monument in Sheffield, his parents know that their son made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
“He was very American and family-oriented,” said Les Knowles. “He was terribly dedicated.
“You don’t mess with America. And you don’t mess with family,” Knowles said.
“He was working for his uncle at the time,” said Josh’s father, Les Knowles of Sheffield.
“We weren’t there, but his uncle told us about it,” Les Knowles said.
“Every time they took a break,” said Sandy Knowles, Josh’s mom, “he was on the phone. He just thought he had to call and see what was going on.”
Duty for the Iowa National Guard was limited in the days immediately following 9/11.
But eventually, when the 1133rd Transportation Co. was called into action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Knowles and the rest of his unit responded.
Spc. Joshua Knowles was killed in Iraq on Feb. 5, 2004, when the truck he was driving was struck by a mortar shell near Baghdad International Airport.
Looking at his name on the Veterans Monument in Sheffield, his parents know that their son made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
“He was very American and family-oriented,” said Les Knowles. “He was terribly dedicated.
“You don’t mess with America. And you don’t mess with family,” Knowles said.
A generation of young people seem to have responded to their country’s call, motivated by 9/11 and its aftermath.
Like the soldiers, police officers and firefighters who responded to the 9/11 emergency, local public servants have responded to the threat of terrorism as well.
Spc. Jason Stangel joined the Iowa National Guard a year and a half after 9/11.
“It did have an impact on my decision,” said the veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “We’re not as safe as we thought we were. A lot of people took it (the country’s safety) for granted.”
Stangel believes the terrorists in Iraq are the same people who brought trouble to America.
“We knew that some of the same people that were causing trouble when we were there were the same people targeting our country,” he said. “It was the same fight, different country.”
Like the soldiers, police officers and firefighters who responded to the 9/11 emergency, local public servants have responded to the threat of terrorism as well.
Spc. Jason Stangel joined the Iowa National Guard a year and a half after 9/11.
“It did have an impact on my decision,” said the veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “We’re not as safe as we thought we were. A lot of people took it (the country’s safety) for granted.”
Stangel believes the terrorists in Iraq are the same people who brought trouble to America.
“We knew that some of the same people that were causing trouble when we were there were the same people targeting our country,” he said. “It was the same fight, different country.”
Jake Hubert, 23, and Jeremey Cole, 26, both Mason City police officers, have joined the ranks of law enforcement since 9/11.
Hubert was a freshman at the University of North Iowa, studying construction management, when 9/11 unfolded on his dorm room television.
He tried construction, but soon changed his mind about a career.
“I had always been interested in law enforcement,” he said. “But it didn’t set in right away. I think 9/11 solidified my decision.”
Hubert thinks the terrorist attack has changed the country, even things here in the Midwest.
“The police department goes out and helps with security at the airport,” he said. “I don’t think that happened before 9/11.”
Cole said when security alerts are issued, police departments know what’s going on.
“To a certain extent, it is our job to prevent things before they happen,” he said.
Hubert agreed.
“All police departments across the nation, whether it’s a one-man, or 1,000-person department, they’re out front, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Hubert was a freshman at the University of North Iowa, studying construction management, when 9/11 unfolded on his dorm room television.
He tried construction, but soon changed his mind about a career.
“I had always been interested in law enforcement,” he said. “But it didn’t set in right away. I think 9/11 solidified my decision.”
Hubert thinks the terrorist attack has changed the country, even things here in the Midwest.
“The police department goes out and helps with security at the airport,” he said. “I don’t think that happened before 9/11.”
Cole said when security alerts are issued, police departments know what’s going on.
“To a certain extent, it is our job to prevent things before they happen,” he said.
Hubert agreed.
“All police departments across the nation, whether it’s a one-man, or 1,000-person department, they’re out front, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Doug Harms and Cal Wyman are firefighter/paramedics with the Mason City Fire Department.
Both had begun careers as paramedics when 9/11 occurred and the terrorist attack didn’t change their minds.
Harms was in the Air Force and Wyman was working at a hospital in Cedar Rapids.
“I think it made my commitment stronger,” said Wyman. “I know it gave our profession more publicity.”
Both agree that fire departments do things differently after 9/11.
“It probably isn’t as apparent around here, as it would be in New York,” Harms said. “They were right there and had the first hand account.”
Harms said everyone in the country has been influenced by the terrorists.
“Their goal was to disrupt our country,” he said. “And that has happened. Anyone who has flown on a plane has been disrupted.”
That hasn’t discouraged the firefighters, police officers, or soldiers from training and doing their jobs.
“I think we’re as prepared as you can be,” he said. “If something were to happen, we’ll respond,” Wyman said.
Reach Bob Link at 421-0538 or bob.link@globegazette.com.
Both had begun careers as paramedics when 9/11 occurred and the terrorist attack didn’t change their minds.
Harms was in the Air Force and Wyman was working at a hospital in Cedar Rapids.
“I think it made my commitment stronger,” said Wyman. “I know it gave our profession more publicity.”
Both agree that fire departments do things differently after 9/11.
“It probably isn’t as apparent around here, as it would be in New York,” Harms said. “They were right there and had the first hand account.”
Harms said everyone in the country has been influenced by the terrorists.
“Their goal was to disrupt our country,” he said. “And that has happened. Anyone who has flown on a plane has been disrupted.”
That hasn’t discouraged the firefighters, police officers, or soldiers from training and doing their jobs.
“I think we’re as prepared as you can be,” he said. “If something were to happen, we’ll respond,” Wyman said.
Reach Bob Link at 421-0538 or bob.link@globegazette.com.
unknown wrote on Sep 10, 2006 10:11 PM: