Gardnerville's twin towers rise on fifth anniversary of attack

Gardnerville resident Lance Caras doesn't want people to forget the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

That's why the Chichester Estates resident has set up his Sept. 11 tribute in front of his home every year since 2002.

"I'm a firefighter in Carson City and that day just overwhelmed all of us," he said. "A lot of people tend to forget something like this, so every year I continue to do it in remembrance of all the fallen firefighters."

Caras has been a Gardnerville resident since 1999 when he was hired as a Carson City firefighter. His wife, Jill, had a friend who was killed on board United Flight 93, which went down in Pennsylvania after passengers tried to retake the plane from highjackers.

"The brotherhood of firefighters goes a long way," he said. "This is my contribution so people will remember what happened."

The memorial has been a work in progress over the years. At first it was just the firefighter turnouts on the bench. Then Caras added the twin towers another year and then the flags and music.

"The two flags have the names of all the people who died," he said. "The flag of heroes has the name of all the emergency workers who died and the flag of honor has the names of everyone who died in the attack."

The songs "Have You Forgotten," and "Proud to be an American" play at the memorial.

"The music pertains to Sept. 11," he said.

The Carases have had a lot of positive responses to the display.

"One time when I was at work a few years ago, my wife was home and a couple who moved here from New York were in tears," he said. "People have left flowers and cards. A gentleman came by Saturday who was so appreciative."

Caras grew up in the little town of Albany, Calif., graduating from high school there in 1983.

He was a volunteer firefighter in Alameda County and learned his trade in Oakland.