Remembering September 11
As we recently recognized the 24th anniversary of the events that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, those of us who are older have vivid recollections of that day – a day when 2,977 people lost their lives in New York City, at the Pentagon, and on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
It was a day filled with horror as we watched the Twin Towers fall and learned of the other attacks. There also was an eerie silence in the sky as planes across the U.S. were at a standstill. People gathered around their televisions, uncertain of what the next hours and days would bring.
Today, more than two decades later, those memories remain etched forever as we remember those whose lives were lost on that day.
Several of our Precinct 2 communities held 9/11 remembrances ranging from a Freedom Walk to 9/11 ceremonies at area fire departments.
Among the events, officials, fire and police from Shady Shores, Lewisville, Lake Dallas, Hickory Creek, Denton, Corinth and Denton County joined the annual “Red, White, and Blue Freedom Walk” across to the middle of the Lewisville Lake Pedestrian Bridge of I-35E. The walk also served to honor the 5,461 service members who have valorously laid down their lives in the wars that followed the attacks.
The Colony held a 9/11 ceremony at The Colony Firehouse No. 4, 3400 Plano Parkway, where it has a piece of the World Trade Center steel. Fire Honor Guard and Police Honor Guard are part of the ceremony.
A wreath-laying ceremony in Denton commemorated 9/11 and the first responders who sacrificed their lives outside the Denton Central Fire Station’s 9/11 Firefighters Memorial Bell Tower.
And some of our local firefighters participated in the annual 9/11 Memorial Tower Climb at the Bank of America Tower, 301 Commerce St., in Fort Worth.
Ending on a more uplifting note, I learned about National Grandparents Day, which was on Sept. 7. Coincidentally, this year has special significance for my wife and me, as we have just welcomed our seventh grandchild into our family.
To reach out to your commissioner, visit the Denton County Commissioner’s Court website.
