AMVETS Post 86 in Keystone Heights hosted a ceremony for Lake Region residents to remember the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Event organizer Cindy Lee enlisted the help of area leaders to speak during the service because some of the scheduled speakers for the memorial failed to show up.
Keystone Heights Mayor Karen Lake said the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania 21 years ago united the country.
“These are the kinds of events that show us that everyone is equal,” she said. “Everyone shares the same hurts when something like this happens.”
Lake said it is essential to remember 911 every year, to thank first responders and express appreciation to members of the armed services.
AMVETS Post Commander Bob Beinlich added that the events on 911 made the country stronger and made citizens aware of the heroics firefighters perform daily.
He added that the amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD-21) was made from the steel of the World Trade Center. “For the men and women on that ship, I’m sure today is a special day,” he said.
School Board member Tina Bullock, well known for reciting her original poems at public events, delivered her composition entitled “9-11-01.”
“On September 11, 2001, the United States of America was changed forever,
When four planes were hijacked by cowards, and we endured their terror.
Americans watched in horror as first the towers of the World Trade Center came crashing down,
Then the third plane hit the Pentagon while stunned and shocked Americans
knew they were Washington bound!
The fourth plane crashed in an empty Pennsylvania farmer’s field,
As brave passengers became heroes with Let’s Roll by charging the terrorists,
Their fate was sealed.
Almost 3,000 innocent people lost their lives that day,
And to the world, we declared never again, and you will pay!
So today, 20 years later, we pay tribute to those brave victims of 911
You’re forever in our hearts and we will never forget what was done.
God bless America.”
Attendees observed two moments of silence during the ceremony. One at 8:46 a.m. commemorating the moment American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. The second moment of silence was observed at 9:03, the time at which American Airlines flight 175 hit the south tower.
County Commissioner Betsy Condon noted that the Keystone Heights High School JROTC color guard members who participated in the ceremony were not alive at the time of the 2021 terrorist attacks.
“So, it is so important,” she told event organizers, “and I thank you so much that you have ceremonies like this to bring together the community to honor those who were lost and to remember so that our young people are continuously taught not to forget.”
Retired Lt. Col. Richard Hall, the advisor to the high school JROTC brigade, thanked the crowd for gathering to honor the victims of the attacks.
“The best way to honor those who were lost is to take care of those who are here now,” he said.
He added that threats to freedom still exist and that most people, even the students he encounters daily, are often engaged in some personal trauma.
“There is an opportunity for each of us to reach out and help those who are here today,” he said.
After the ceremony, attendees lined up to shake the hands of Clay County Fire Rescue Station 11 crew members.
