URBANA — The Rev. John Sims challenged the people of Champaign County to live their lives with hope.

"What I learned from 9/11 is this: Live your life filled with hope and trust. Practice vigilance with respect. Love without limits," he said.

Sims, a disaster chaplain for the families and friends of the victims of the 9/11 attacks in New York, was the featured speaker at a 10-year anniversary memorial ceremony Sunday afternoon in Urbana.

Speaking before an estimated 1,000 people gathered in front of the Champaign County courthouse, Sims said the attacks of 9/11 made America uncomfortable.

"We looked up in the sky and didn't see contrails and jets," Sims said. "We looked around, and all we saw was a kind of anxiety written on everybody's face. We asked ourselves, 'What happened? What now?'"

Sims said he was assigned to the family assistance center at Liberty Island State Park, not far from ground zero.

"My job was to escort family members to the pile — to be with families," he said. "How do you get comfortable with people who have lost their loved ones who have died horrifically — men, women, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children?"

Sims said he wanted to share what the attacks mean to the people of Champaign County a decade later.

"After 10 years, I have learned that life must be lived with faith and hope. For if we give in, if we lose our sense of hope and patience and values, then those terrorists who seek to do our country harm will have won. Life must be lived with hope."

While every person on Flight 93 died when the plane crashed in Shanksville, Pa., Sims said those people saved a large number of people from another horrific act.

"We call the people on that flight heroes," Sims said.

Urbana Fire Chief Mike Dilley welcomed scores of firefighters, law-enforcement officers, first responders, military personnel, American Legion members, VFW members, Marine Corps League members, Illinois Patriot Guard Riders and their families in a ceremony that honored both the heroes of 9/11 and the heroes of today.

"On 9/11, we said something that day — all of us, as a united nation — that we would never forget, and that is what we are here for this day," Dilley said.

Tom Harpst led about 30 Illinois Patriot Guard Riders who raised American flags throughout Sunday's ceremonies.

"We want to honor our veterans and fallen heroes," Harpst said. "We support the families of the fallen heroes."

State Trooper Monica Strandberg said she was thrilled to be selected to play taps on the trumpet for Sunday's event.

"I'm privileged to do this to represent the Illinois State Police and be part of this ceremony," she said.

Ileana Roberts, 12, of Sidney, said she came to honor the firefighters of New York City and local firefighters as well.

"My dad, Troy Roberts, is a firefighter, and I am so proud of him," she said. "They save lives every day."

Champaign Deputy Police Chief Troy Daniels said it is important to honor the first responders of 9/11.

"This is a time to remember the courage and sacrifice of those who fight for our security and keep us free," Daniels said.

Bruce Voges of St. Joseph said he was pleased to see a large turnout for Sunday's ceremony.

"I love the American flag, and I love to see all the people here," Voges said. "We have to remember these people. We cannot forget that incident."

For some area residents, the commemoration began Sunday morning as voice Professor Ollie Watts Davis directed the University of Illinois Black Chorus with a concert at Smith Memorial Hall at 7:46 a.m. to coincide with the time the first hijacked plane struck the World Trade Center in New York City 10 years ago.

"I co-wrote a specific piece for this concert with K. Edward Copeland called 'Refuge,'" she said. "It was quite an honor to provide hopeful music, allowing to people to reflect on what happened 10 years ago and to inspire optimism for the present and future."

Church bells rang out and police and fire department sirens sounded across Champaign County on Sunday as people remembered those who died and prayed for their families and all those affected by the event that took place a decade ago.

"9/11 is evidence that we live in a broken world," said the Rev. Jim McClarey, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Savoy, one of the sites where bells rang. "The hope for the world is God's love and Christ."

Meanwhile, motorcycles and other vehicles took part in a 9/11 memorial ride through Vermilion, Champaign and Ford counties, organized by the I&I Firefighters Association.

Captain Mike Chereb of the Thomasboro Fire Department said he assisted as the riders rolled through Thomasboro.

"As a firefighter myself, I can relate to what the firefighters did on 9/11," he said.

Donations collected during the ride will go to a fallen firefighters account for families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and for firefighters who are hurt or ill.