KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Members of the community joined the Tullahoma Fire Department on the morning of Sept. 11 to pay tribute and remember the lives that were lost during the terrorist attacks 23 years ago.

The fire department has held the 9/11 ceremony annually to reflect on the day that changed the nation, to never forget the heroes who perished and to remember the selflessness, courage and unity that defined the response to the attacks.

The ceremony took place at Fire Station No. 1 at 613 S Jackson St. on Wednesday morning. At 7:30 a.m., the members of the fire department, EMS and police department formed up as Toby Keith’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” played. Tullahoma Fire Chief Kenneth Pearson welcomed attendees, and asked them to gather around closer to be able to hear remarks due to not having a working microphone available.

“The events of Sept. 11 are a sensitive one,” Pearson said. “They are very important to American history and never be forgotten.”

Pearson said recounted the lives who were lost on that day, which were the 343 New York firefighters, eight EMTs/paramedics, 60 police officers and 2,997 civilians. He then shared a quote from former President George W. Bush who said Sept. 11 was “One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11.”

“Sept. 11 is now remembered as Patriot Day in the United States,” Pearson said. “This is a national day where we remember the victims of the terrorist attacks.”

Mayor Lynn Sebourn spoke next, and said while the attack on the World Trade Center was in New York, it still made an impact 759 miles away.

“Tullahoma has a long history of supporting our fighting men and women as they have defended freedom around the globe, but on Sept. 11 the threat came to us and the call to serve came to the first responders in New York,” Sebourn said. “Today, the citizens of Tullahoma remember the fallen, and are inspired by the example they set for our firemen, police officers and our first responders. May God protect their families and may God protect our first responders that serve Tullahoma today.”

Following Sebourn was City Administrator Jason Quick who said it was important to know where they were now, and when he looked out into the crowd he said they were all “still here and our world was still turning.”

“We had an opportunity 23 years ago to hide, but our first responders, as we sit here locally, on a daily basis show up,” Quick said. “That takes courage that takes commitment. Never have I seen anybody more committed to serving the people.”

Quick then thanked everyone who came out as Sept. 11 is not another day, it meant something to them.

“I pray that our city, our state and our country will remember the sacrifices that our men and women put up and put forward every single day in the city of Tullahoma and the country we live in.”

After a moment of silence, the American flag was raised for salute before being flown at half-staffed in recognition of Patriot Day by Lt. Rocky Rhoton and Assistant Chief Zach Smith. Lt. Craig Stroop then rang the bell on the vintage fire truck parked next to the flag pole in the traditional 3-4-3 pattern, representing the 343 FDNY members who lost their lives assisting evacuations of the North and South towers of the World Trade Center.

Then Pearson welcomed American Legion Post 43 Commander Marcus Walden to present the Patriot Award to one member of the Tullahoma fire and police departments. Walden presented the award to Tullahoma Police Officer Sgt. Jason Maloney and Fire Engineer Josh Nelms. Maloney was recognized for his dedication and setting the example among his fellow officers and peers. Nelms was recognized for his professionalism as both a firefighter and EMT, and for his leadership in serving both the department and community.

Concluding the Patriot Day Commemoration was Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” as the flag flew at half-mast in honor of the 9/11 heroes.