It was on a similar September day that the single most devastating attack on American democracy took place. The sky was crystal clear blue, cloudless, and a gentle breeze wafted over the crowd gathered in front of the Fire Administration Building to pay respects to the fallen heroes of September 11th.
At 9 a.m. on a sunny Saturday morning, Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, Fire Commissioner William C Rigby, IV, Police Commissioner Gretsky, Councilwoman Elizabeth Williams, Chaplains Rosetta Carter, Ronald Hughes, and Chaplain Reverend Hilda Campbell along with the rank and file of the police department, fire department and the EMT corp. assembled outside the firehouse to pay respects to the heroes of 9/11. A few members of the community stopped by to pay honor as well.
Chaplain Ronald Hughes gave the opening benediction encouraging attendees to not forget the day and to treat fellow human beings with kindness, have compassion and show respect.
Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland encouraged those in attendance to not forget and to allow the 20 year anniversary to inspire the city and the nation to a deeper sense of unification. Fire Commissioner Rigby and Police Commissioner Gretsky both expressed their gratitude and took the moment to share their appreciation to the rank and file for their unwavering dedication. That dedication was displayed as police officers took to their cruisers, sirens blaring, in the middle of the ceremony to race to an unknown emergency.
Following the ringing of the bell and the Pledge of Allegiance, it was time for the ceremony to close.
Chaplain Reverend Hilda Campbell offered the closing benediction by opening her remarks with the poem, “Why We Serve”. Campbell wrote the poem herself, incorporating snippets of phrases and thoughts that she gleaned from fellow chaplains after a training. She went on talking about the importance of service before offering a closing prayer.
The weather being similar to September 11, 2021, wasn’t the only true coincidence, the ceremony concluded at 9:11 am.
