Clear Lake native, former Air Force pilot, keynote speaker for Clear Lake Fire Department 9/11 event (AUDIO)

CLEAR LAKE — A Clear Lake native who currently is a government contractor after serving 30 years in the United States Air Force was the keynote speaker at last night’s annual “Never Forget” ceremony at the Clear Lake Fire Department commemorating the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Bill Lyons flew more than 300 combat hours in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Lyons says heroes stepped up on that tragic and chaotic day in an attempt to help others.  “Our world needs all the heroes we can get. We will always face adversity be it caused by the evil of man or the force of nature. We need people who are willing to step up to protect those who cannot defend themselves and rescue those who cannot save themselves.”

Lyons talked about a number of different heroes from a number of different situations and backgrounds, and he says anyone can be a hero in the right situation.  “I believe that none of them intended to be a hero. In fact they may not have recognized that they possessed the qualities necessary to be a hero, and that’s one of the most beautiful and encouraging things about heroism. You probably have it in you, and you don’t even realize it. Anyone can be a hero, you just have to have the courage to sacrifice for others.”

You can listen back to more of Lyons’ speech as well as last night’s entire ceremony by clicking on the audio player below.  Following the ceremony, a lighted procession of emergency vehicles took one lap around the lake.