Kewaskum Community Honors 9/11 Victims at 25th Anniversary Memorial

David Okonkwo · Columnist September 17, 2026, 1:48 PM 58 views

KEWASKUM, Wis. — The Kewaskum community gathered this week to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, as the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks with a remembrance ceremony.

The Kewaskum memorial has become a place where local residents and visitors can reflect on the events of September 11 and remember those who were killed. The site has particular significance for the Kewaskum community because Andrea Haberman, a Kewaskum High School graduate, was among those who died in the attacks.

During this year's anniversary observance, the Haberman family took part in the ceremony, including the ringing of a bell 25 times to represent the 25 years that have passed since September 11, 2001. The ceremony also recognized the broader Wisconsin connections to the tragedy.

The memorial includes a large steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center's North Tower, where Haberman was working when the attacks occurred. The structure serves as one of the central reminders at the Kewaskum site and connects the national tragedy with a local family and community.

The 25th anniversary also comes as the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial moves toward an expansion of its educational mission. Organizers have announced plans for an indoor Museum and Community Center designed to provide year-round educational opportunities, exhibits and community space. The planned facility is intended to help future generations learn about September 11 and its lasting impact.

The memorial organization has launched a $4 million capital campaign for the proposed indoor education center. Plans call for interactive exhibits and educational stations, along with space for school groups and community activities.

For Kewaskum residents, the anniversary represents both a national moment of remembrance and a deeply local story. Twenty-five years after the attacks, the memorial continues to provide a place where families, students and visitors can learn about those who were lost and reflect on the events that changed the country.

The anniversary observance reinforces the memorial's continuing mission: remembering the victims, honoring those who responded and ensuring that future generations understand the significance of September 11.