Rutherford Weekly

Page 10 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, September 14-September 20, 2023 Under a bright sunny, cloudless Monday morning more than 100 people gathered in Forest City to remember 9/11 and the 2,977 lives lost that day when radical terrorists attacked America. Led by the Forest City Fire Rescue and the Marine Corp League, the 22nd annual Memorial Ceremony in Forest City was held at the Park on Pavilion Square. Forest City Police Chief Ferrell Hamrick said in addition to the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of people are still suffering and many others have died due to the terrorist attacks. "As we remember, let us not forget those affl icted by the heroic efforts of fi rst responders," Hamrick said. On that day 343 New York City fi refi ghters died and since then 342 have suffered directly from the attack, he said. "We will remember all who suffered that day 22 years later. Those affl ictions are still being felt," he said. Tony Robbins of Forest City was guest speaker, returning to the podium after speaking at the ceremony fi ve years ago. Robbins is a US government contractor as a special investigator conducting personnel security investigations. He is also a retired special agent with the US Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Robbins reminded the audience the attack on America in 2001 was not the fi rst attack at the World Trade Center. "On Feb. 23, 1993, Al Queda operatives detonated a truck bomb in the parking garage of the World Trade Center... hoping to bring down the World Trade Towers," Robbins said. That attempt failed. Just as it was on Monday, Robbins reminded the crowd that it was also a beautiful day in the Northeast that fateful day in September 2001. Robbins was in the Washington, DC area attending an International Chiefs of Police training session on Sept. 11, 2001. He said several of his classmates were supervisors from the New York Port Authority Police and they all began receiving communications from their agencies that some type of aircraft had crashed into the North Tower of the Trade Center in New York City. Later Robbins and others watched a live video feed of the Trade Center and watched the second plane hit the South Tower. Before the attacks ended the Pentagon would be hit and United Airlines fl ight 93 crashed into a fi eld in Pennsylvania. "A plane intended for an attack on the US Capitol, was thwarted by the heroic passengers' actions after they had learned the fate of the other three fl ights," Robbins said. "We watched the horrifying images of our citizens jumping from the upper fl oors of the building to escape the fi re. And then the collapse of both majestic towers, symbols of American ingenuity and fi nancial power. The very symbolism of why there were being attacked by radical jihadists," he said. Robbins had his family with him in Washington for the special training sessions and later that day, they would begin the drive back to Jacksonville. Robbins said his family in Rutherford County knew he was supposed to be fl ying that day and there was no communications due to the telephone networks in Washington being jammed. It was a stressful time for all. On their drive home from Washington, the Robbins family stopped at a hotel for the evening where he heard President George W. Bush address the nation on television, stating America had been targeted by "evil despicable acts of terror" and declaring that America, its friends and allies would "stand together to win the war against terrorism. Robbins talked about the United States later withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2021, but the battle against terrorism has not ended. "Today we remember the almost 3,000 that died on Sept. 11, 2001...We remember the fi refi ghters and police offi cers that rushed into those towers and never came out. We remember the acts of bravery by civilians in those towers and the brave on United Flight 93. We remember the members of the military, federal law enforcement and the intelligence community who have lost their lives in this battle against terror. Marine Doug Jackson read a poem about the attacks and the military and Dennis Matheny told the history of ringing the fi re bell. Known as the Tolling of the Bell, it is a sign of honor and respect for all fi refi ghters who have made the ultimate sacrifi ce. The bell was rung to end the ceremony. The Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy grammar school chorus sang patriotic songs and the National Anthem was sung by Grace Elders. The colors were presented by the Firefi ghters Honor Guard. Sgt. Major Don Barrett of the Marine Corps League was the emcee. At the close of the ceremony, he encouraged everyone attending to bring friends and family to the gathering next year. "This place should be full," he said. The Thomas Jefferson Classical Grammar School chorus sang patriotic songs. Colors were presented by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. Dwayne Craig rings the fi re bell. Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Photos By: Pat Nanney and Jean Gordon. 9/11 Memorial Ceremony speakers reflect on lives lost that day and since Tony Robbins addresses the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony crowd. Firefi ghters and fi rst responders pose after the 9/11 ceremony Monday morning at POPS in Forest City with displays of the American fl ag. Marine Doug Jackson.

• Cover