By Shirley Frisbee, Contributing Writer
Marble – Sept. 11 was Patriot Day, created to pay tribute to those affected by the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001.
This Sept. 11 was the 23rd anniversary, and the Marble Precinct of the Republican Party held a celebration as a tribute to those affected by that attack and to honor local first responders.
The over arching goal was to bring the community together and create a spirit of camaraderie.
An overview of the tragic attack on 9/11 was given. A moment of silence was observed for the 3,000 innocent people who were killed, and the first responders: the New York Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services lost 343 workers, Port Authority lost 74 and New York Police Department lost 23 lives.
The first responders of Cherokee County were honored, and they shared what they were doing during 911. Sheriff Dustin Smith could identify with the 911 first responders, as he had just returned to work after having been shot in the line of duty.
“On Sept. 12, we came together as a country and felt each other’s love. It made me proud to be an American and a Christian,” Smith said. “Our chosen paths were something to be proud of – a call. That day the country saw that.”
Ryan Cunningham, who represented the Murphy Police Department, said 9/11 reminded him of how evil some people could be. However, people coming together after it was all over reminded him of who Americans are, and what America stands for.
Cherokee County Emergency Management Director Robin Caldwell said she was taking part in continuing education training at the department when 9/11 happened, and they all sat and watched it. Two of the most memorable things she said were, “First responders take care of others first, then themselves,” and “First responders run to a crisis, when everyone else is running away.”
Bobby Barton, who represented fire services, was a history teacher when 9/11 was happening. He turned on the television and told his students to watch history taking place. One of the students was so enraged about what happened that he decided to join the military to protect our country.
By chance, another student who was Muslim said, “Those men do not represent people in our religion.” Barton was able to facilitate an open and peaceful dialogue between them and other students.
First responders were gifted with a book titled Listening is an Act of Love.
Listening to one another reminds us of our shared humanity, capturing for posterity the stories that define us and bind us together as individuals – and as a nation.
Commissioner Ben Adams led the pledge of allegiance. The Patriot Day celebration ended with a candle-lighting ceremony.
The writer is chair of the Marble Precinct of the Cherokee County Republican Party.