CLARKESVILLE — Veterans, first responders and community members gathered Friday evening at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fairgrounds to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Bill Miles, commander of Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 and a past commander of the Georgia Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars, led the remembrance ceremony.
“Tonight, we gather not simply as veterans, first responders, families, neighbors or members of different organizations,” Miles said. “Tonight, we gather as Americans.”
The ceremony coincided with the opening day of the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair and included prayers, patriotic music, military tributes, the posting of colors, a bell-ringing ceremony, a three-round rifle volley and the playing of taps.
Attendance was sparse, though the threat of inclement weather may have discouraged some residents from attending.
Remembering the Lives Lost
The ceremony began with an invocation remembering the nearly 3,000 people killed during the coordinated attacks in New York City, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Members of the Joseph Habersham Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution posted the colors. The Grant-Reeves Singers performed the national anthem and later presented a musical tribute featuring the songs of each branch of the U.S. military.
Veterans were invited to stand as the song representing their branch was performed. The tribute recognized the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force.
Miles also recognized the local honor guard, composed of members of American Legion Post 84, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 and Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720.
According to Miles, members of the honor guard conducted more than 100 graveside services and participated in more than 20 community ceremonies during the past year.
“Their commitment ensures that our veterans are remembered, our fallen are honored, and the traditions of service and sacrifice are passed on from one generation to the next,” he said.
Four Flights Remembered
One of the ceremony’s most solemn moments came as a bell was rung in remembrance of each of the four commercial airliners hijacked on Sept. 11, 2001.
The first ringing marked American Airlines Flight 11, which struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m.
A second ringing remembered United Airlines Flight 175, which struck the South Tower at 9:03 a.m.
The bell sounded again for American Airlines Flight 77, which struck the western side of the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m.
The final ringing honored the passengers and crew members aboard United Airlines Flight 93. After learning about the other attacks, passengers fought back against the hijackers before the aircraft crashed in rural Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m.
“Their resistance forced the hijackers to crash the aircraft before reaching its intended target,” Miles said. “The courage of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 almost certainly prevented an even greater tragedy.”
The bell ceremony was followed by a moment of silence.
A Call for Unity and Service
During his remarks, Miles recalled the sense of unity that spread across the country following the attacks.
“American flags appeared on homes, businesses, bridges, vehicles and streets across this country,” he said. “Communities gathered to pray. Political differences seemed less important. Regional differences seemed less important.”
Miles said the spirit of unity remains one of the most important lessons the country can carry forward 25 years later.
“In the face of unimaginable tragedy, we discovered once again that we were stronger when we stood together,” he said.
He also recognized the military members who deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations following the attacks, along with the first responders and families who carried the burdens of service and sacrifice.
“The greatest response to hatred is not more hatred,” Miles said. “It is service. It is helping a neighbor. It is volunteering in our communities.”
Miles encouraged those in attendance to honor the victims by supporting veterans, first responders and Gold Star families and by teaching younger generations about the significance of Sept. 11.
“Twenty-five years have passed. A generation has grown up,” he said. “But America remembers. As long as we continue to speak their names, tell their stories and honor their sacrifice, they will not be forgotten.”
Ceremony Concludes With Military Honors
The observance concluded with a three-round rifle volley and the playing of taps, followed by a closing prayer.
Members of the Sons of the American Revolution had also planned to fire a ceremonial cannon from an area behind the stage. Technical difficulties prevented the cannon from being fired.
Miles closed the ceremony by asking those gathered to carry its message with them.
“Remember the heroes. Remember the sacrifice. Remember the unity,” he said. “And above all, never forget.”
