Ask anyone who is old enough to remember the September 11 attacks on our nation where they were when it happened and, 18 years later, you will still receive a vivid and detailed description. We all still remember. We remember where we were, what we were doing, and who we were with.
While addressing the events of that day, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke significant words that continue to remind us of what me must always keep in focus.
“The attacks of Sept. 11 were intended to break our spirit. Instead, we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life,” Giuliani said. “We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom.”
It is with this deep conviction and commitment to freedom that many Americans continue to remember that day, those who gave their lives, and those who lost them. In honor and recognition of this, a memorial was erected in 2011, on the grounds of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office marking the event’s 10-year anniversary.
A 3,000-pound I-beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center is on display there surrounded by a symphony of symbolism. The three posts supporting the tilting beam are representative of the firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel who all gave their lives in service on that day. The beam points directly toward New York City. Surrounding the beam, four urns symbolize the four airplanes that crashed that day, while four flag poles fly our American flag, our state flag, our military flag, and our 9/11 memorial flag.
Symbols are powerful. They cross language and cultural barriers. They are sole, simple suggestions that can make or break an entire company; unite or destroy an entire nation. Symbols are a visible sign of an invisible idea. They serve as reminders. So, it is appropriate that this I-beam would daily stand in our community, reminding us why we do.
This year marks the 18th anniversary since that fateful summer morning. With the passing of time comes an entirely new generation of adults with no recollection of the incident. It is our privilege and our duty to educate and remind them of the magnitude of what we have endured and how it has strengthened our bonds both as a community, and as a nation. In light of this, during the Sept. 11 ceremony this year, a sign will be erected, describing each element of the memorial and what it means. The sign will serve as a way to help connect the generations that remember with the ones who should always continue to do so.
Carla Crader, one of the many volunteers involved in raising funds for the sign, had this to say: “The memorial is a powerful place to visit if you remember that day. But we are now nearly a generation removed from the horror of 9/11, and we don’t ever want the toll of those who perished on that devastating day to be forgotten. To me, it is about memorializing the people, not the event.”
Sergeant Jimmy Cassidy of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office also remembers that day very well. While he took the time to sit down and discuss the memorial and service with me, as well as giving me a tour of the memorial and discussing its different components, it was the expression on his face—one of solemn grief and sadness—while describing his recollection of that day’s events that stuck with me the most.
Ultimately, whether we lived through that day or not, we were all affected by it. Like all events of significance in history, it can serve as a reminder that eclipses whatever evil intent may have initiated it. In the true American Spirit of triumph, it is with great pride and reverence that the community will continue to remember what happened in New York City, on Sept. 11, 2001.
This year’s memorial services will begin at 9 a.m. and will last approximately half an hour. The national anthem will be played, followed by a flag ceremony, a guest speaker and the honor guard. Donations can be made in any amount to help cover the costs of the sign and memorial upkeep.
Memorial bricks are being sold that will be installed at the site as a way to help raise funds. These permanent bricks can be engraved with whatever personal tribute you’d like. If you would like to be a part of this occasion by making a donation, you can reach out to Sergeant Cassidy at 615-904-3019 or jcassidy@rcsotn.org.
