MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - First responders, elected officials, community leaders, and local citizens gathered Friday morning (September 11th) at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) 9/11 Memorial Garden to remember the events of September 11th, 2001.
Twenty-five years after the national tragedy, the ceremony focused on the sacrifice, service, and patriotism displayed in the aftermath of the attacks.
Major General Jeff Holmes served as a keynote speaker for the event. He emphasized the responsibility of teaching younger generations about the historic moment.
"The most important events today aren’t happening under this tree, in this setting," Holmes said. "They are happening in our schools."
Holmes reflected on how national crises shape history and public service.
"Every generation has been challenged by some national event that changed the trajectory of many lives," Holmes said. "We have September 11th, a new call to serve and a new generational test for our nation."
Holmes noted that the response from emergency personnel and everyday citizens redefined public service.
"The images of 9/11, police officers, EMTs, elected officials and ordinary citizens, gave public service a very visible meaning," Holmes said. "A generational impact."
He reminded attendees of the enduring dedication shown by emergency responders.
"Those men and women that serve in those professions, they know that if they are called to give their life, that their sacrifice will never be forgotten," Holmes said.
Public speaker Shawn Farash opened the ceremony by recalling his personal experience as a 10-year-old living on Long Island during the attacks. He spoke about the unity that defined the country immediately following the tragedy.
"The evildoers will have their day," Farash said. "They had their day on September 11th, 2001. But you know what one of the silver linings of September 11th, 2001 was? September 12th, 2001."
Farash encouraged the crowd to carry that national unity forward into the future.
"'These colors don’t run' wasn’t just a bumper sticker or a slogan that people wore on their shirts," Farash said. "It was a way of life. We came together as a country. We united in the face of evil and terror, stood up, dusted ourselves off and we made it known that we will not wilt, we will not falter, we will not cower in the face of this evil."
Farash added that the impact of the tragedy remains permanent.
"Twenty-five years later, I just ask that we continue on that same attitude," Farash said. "We continue in that same courage. This is the type of wound that does not fade."
RCSO Chaplain Cody Turner opened the ceremony with prayer. Retired Navy Captain and SCAN Volunteer Phil Barnett led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Preslee Campbell sang the National Anthem.
Chief Deputy Todd Sparks represented Sheriff Kenneth Barrett, who was unable to attend because he was attending Sheriff’s School this week. Sparks thanked attendees and spoke on the importance of preserving the memory of the tragedy.
"May we never forget September 11th, 2001, and may we always remember the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism that defined our nation in the days that followed," Sparks said.
Rutherford County Public Information Officer Lisa Kaye performed a rendition of "God Bless America."
Members of the Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 of Tennessee raised the POW/MIA flag during the ceremony. A joint honor guard featuring the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, La Vergne Fire Honor Guard, Smyrna Fire Honor Guard, and Rutherford County EMS Honor Guard conducted a 21-gun salute and bell ringing.
Middle Tennessee State University trumpeters Sarah Browning and Wyatt Murphy closed the ceremony with an echoing performance of Taps.
RCSO officials extended thanks to everyone who attended, as well as KOBO Coffee, Veda’s Flowers and Gifts for donating the memorial wreath, RCTV for broadcasting live coverage, and the Riverdale High School Audio Visual Club for managing audio equipment.
