About two dozen area residents gathered on the covered patio at the Milwaukee Road depot, adjacent to Freedom Rock, to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
The event was planned and emceed by Sean Sebourn. Sebourn quoted the impromptu speech President G.W. Bush gave Sept. 14, 2001, using a bullhorn and standing on a burned out firetruck at Ground Zero.
“I want you all to know that America today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens,” he said.
After a rescue worker bellowed, “I can’t hear you,” Bush continued, “I can hear you. I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people, and all the people who knocked these buildings down, will hear all of us soon.”
Pastor Tom Hinote offered prayer, asking that we not forget those times following the terrorist attack.
Wayne Lautner played “Taps.”
The sirens of eight emergency response vehicles – sheriff’s office, Jefferson police department, the Jefferson fire department and Greene County Ambulance – were sounded for 30 seconds consecutively.
Sebourn closed the event, saying, “We stand united and we support those who serve in our community, the police, sheriff, fire departments and EMS.”
