Hardeman County, Bolivar Will Never Forget 9/11
The City of Bolivar Fire Department held its annual 9/11 Memorial Breakfast, Processional, and Program on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, to recognize the first responders that were part of the almost 3,000 lives lost 23 years ago after the 9/11 terror attack. People from the Hardeman County community came together to celebrate those lives, and recognize the first responders that served and tragically died while just doing their jobs.
The morning began with a first responder breakfast and continued with a processional of participating first responders and their service vehicles. They made their way through Downtown Bolivar and stopped at the City of Bolivar Fire Department where the program that was open to the community was held.
City of Bolivar Fire Chief Lynn Price welcomed all in attendance and shared a memory from 23 years ago, the day after the terrorist attack.
“On September 12 [2001], we came together as a nation . . .when 9/12 came, we were together, but now, we are kind of like splitting apart,” said Chief Price, who hopes the memorial event will continue as well as the spirit of the occasion. “We want to try to make sure to keep this going.”
Pastor Jerry Crisp of Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Whiteville opened the program in prayer and LaTosha Neely sang The Star-Spangled Banner/National Anthem. Former Hardeman County Mayor Willie Spencer was the keynote speaker.
“Not only do we remember those who died, but those who are still suffering . . .,” said Mayor Spencer. “Something happened on September 11, 2001, by a group of individuals who tried to separate us as a country. A group that vowed to kill all Americans and through that, they did something that was really not customary. Something that had never really been thought of. Something that had never really been done. It created a memory for all of us as we live today. We know that separation is a part of our makeup, a part of our history, but we are deeper than that which happens to us. Buildings on that particular day fell. Airplanes were destroyed, people lost their lives. Buildings were damaged. But our spirit as Americans grows deeper than buildings that fall. We showed we are able to rise up above that which they saw as real damage to America. . . It caused all of us to think about what was going on . . . We rose up, because something happened to each of us to cause us to reflect on who we are, what’s going on in our own personal lives, things that we have done.”
He continued praising the first responders, who have accepted the calling to serve others.
“There is a sense of calling to bring you to doing something that you put your life on the line for. We praise God for each of you. We do not take this event as something just to remember those individuals who have died. We praise God for the lives that they lived, but we also lift each of you today, because you continue to carry on what they were about . . . You save lives!”
Mayor Spencer reminded all that first responders put their lives on the line for strangers and noted they leave for work everyday with a chance they may not return home. He believes God is with those first responders every time they go out on a call. Mayor Spencer closed with a personal “thank you” to all first responders.
City of Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic and Hardeman County Mayor Todd Pulse also expressed their appreciation for first responders. Community representatives participated in a candle lighting acknowledging the lives lost on September 11, 2001:
- World Trade Center in honor of the 1,600 lives lost
- World Trade Center South Tower in honor of the 1,000 lives lost
- American Airlines Flight 11 in honor of the 87 lives lost
- United Airlines Flight 175 in honor of the 60 lives lost
- American Airlines Flight 77 in honor of the 59 lives lost
- Pentagon in honor of the 70 lives lost
- US Fish & Wildlife Service Officer in honor of the 1 life lost
- Military Personnel Stationed at Pentagon in honor of the 55 lives lost
- Paramedics (13) and EMT (3) in honor of the 16 live lost
- Law Enforcement in honor of the 71 lives lost
- New York City Firefighters in honor of the 343 lives lost
- Prayer for unity in our city, county, state, and country
Amazing Grace [bagpipes version] was played and Matthew Graber, Town of Whiteville Fire Chief and City of Bolivar Fire Department engineer, placed a wreath. Chief Price made some closing remarks that were followed by a closing prayer by Pastor Crisp.
As promised, Hardeman Country will never forget!
Read more local news by clicking here.
Stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County by subscribing to Hatchie Press e-mail updates.
Do you have community news you’d like to share? E-mail us at news@hatchiepress.com.
