Habersham remembers, reflects on 9/11

UNDATED – Like those across America, Habersham County residents paused Tuesday to reflect on the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The first observance was at 10 a.m. at Cornelia Fire Department North Station and was entitled, “In Honor and Remembrance: Woodmen of the World Salutes America’s Heroes.” The annual ceremony is coordinated by the county’s WOW lodges.

“This ceremony honors the heroes and victims of Sept. 11, 2011, and fulfills our promise to never forget that tragic day,” said Woodmen Area Manager Todd Wiley.

Wiley conducted a brief dedication ceremony of the flagpole and flag, which was raised by the Habersham Central High School Air Force Jr. ROTC, then lowered to half mast.
Following a moment of silence, Lance Zimmerman of the JROTC played Taps.

Later in the day, the student body at Fairview Elementary School gathered in the school’s back parking lot to pay tribute to those lost on 9/11 and to honor the heroes of that day, as well as everyday Habersham County heroes.

“Today is so important for you as a learning experience, and for all of us to take time to understand that our freedom in our country that we talk about is word, but it’s so much more than that,” said Principal Darlene Hudson. “And it isn’t free. Every day, men and women are sacrificing their lives in serving our country and we thank them, so today this is something that we want to do to make sure that we honor our hometown heroes as well as take a moment to remember those that 11 years ago lost their lives, or lost loved ones in the 9/11 attack on the country.”

Hudson introduced representatives from the public safety community, including Keith Freeman and Richard Fugel of the Habersham County Fire Department; Sheriff Joey Terrell, Chief Deputy Greg Bowen, Capt. Robin Krockum, and Sgt. Bryan Wright of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office; Jack Moody, Michael Alexander, James Lawrence and Frank Lowery.

The HCHS Jr. ROTC presented the colors as the students, staff, and guests recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem.

Following a moment of silence, Eleanor Lawson and Jason Kyzer of Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial made a presentation to Terrell and his officers.

“I just want to say how much we appreciate the service of all our servants here today,” Lawson said. “We’re dedicated to helping improve our community in lots of different ways, and one of the ways we decided to do this year is give our sheriff’s deputies some bears to take out in their cars with them so they can give to children when they come across the scene where there’s a domestic dispute or some situation where there’s a child involved and might need some comfort.”

FES fifth-grade students Katie Hicks and Hawk Smith shared writings with the audience then, before returning to class, each student was able to give high-fives to each of the emergency personnel in attendance.

At Tuesday night’s Cornelia City Commission meeting, there also was a brief remembrance of 9/11 by Mike Franklin, senior pastor of The Torch.

“Remember today is 9/11,” Franklin told a capacity crowd. “We commemorate not only the tragic loss of life in four planes – one in Shanksville, Pa., one at the Pentagon, two at the Twin Towers. When you add all the lives up, it’s nearly 3,000 lives that were lost. We commemorate the loss of them, but not only that. We celebrate the heroes – all the firefighters, first responders, medics, policemen, military personnel, governmental personnel – everybody involved. We celebrate them and thank God for them.”