KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The sun shone through the clouds Thursday morning as community members gathered to honor and pay tribute to the lives that were lost during the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

Starting off the day was the Tullahoma Fire Department’s Patriot Day ceremony at Fire Station 1, where 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 said that the day was a hard day as they gathered to not to just remember, but to reaffirm and honor the lives lost, as well as “to recognize the strength that rose from the ashes of tragedy.”

Pearson continued and said Patriot Day was not merely a date on the calendar. It was a solemn reminder of the courage, unity and resilience that define the American spirit.

 “We remember the innocent souls who went to work and never came home. We remember the first responders, the firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who ran toward danger with unwavering resolve, and all their sacrifices etched into our national memory and into our hearts of every community,” Pearson said.

He said Tullahoma knows the value of service, as it’s on display in the fire department, police department, in the veterans and in the neighborhoods. He added that Patriot Day was a moment to reflect on the next period to service and how to carry forward.

“Let us teach our children not just what happened, but why it matters. Let us live with purpose, kindness and vigilance. Let us honor the following, not only with words, but with actions that build a better, safer and more compassionate world,” Pearson said. “May we never forget, and may we always stand together.”

Next to speak was Mayor Lynn Sebourn, who recalled where he was 24 years ago, noting that it was a beautiful day in Tennessee and New York. He said he was running late to work and was listening to the radio when the news came in about the planes hitting the towers. He asked those in attendees why do they do the 9/11 remembrance.

“Is it just to remember those who died? I think it’s something more than that,” Sebourn said.

He then shared the story of 22-year-old Michael Cammarata, who served as a firefighter with Ladder Company 11 in Manhattan during the attacks.

“I think everyone who serves in any kind of public capacity, especially our first responders, ask themselves, ‘what would I do? Could I really face up to a challenge like that?’ I’d be surprised if these men don’t think about that.”

Sebourn said the firefighters, police officers and nurses were just regular people getting up that day not expecting anything significant that day. He continued and said that one of the values of the remembrance isn’t just about the dead, but to look to the example they set as they were ordinary people who stood up to the challenge set on that day, and that the young men and women of today can do the same thing.

“All people have the capacity to do extraordinary things, and these people set the example for us in that and we remember their example today,” Sebourn said. “May God comfort the wounded, may God protect our first responders and may God bless America.”

Following Sebourn was City Administrator Jason Quick, who said prior to the ceremony he saw two pictures that spoke to him. The first picture the night before the attacks, which had the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center behind it. The second picture showed the towers gone, with smoke and ashes burning, but the Statue of Liberty still standing with her torch of freedom.

“She held high to her torch for belief in America for opportunities that we all have afforded, and she wasn’t shaken,” Quick said. “I think we see that in our spirit today. I know we do from a local perspective.”

To wrap things up, Quick made note of the weather and told attendees that while one side looks dark and cloudy, the other side had sun up and shining through the clouds.

“The sun will always come up on America,” Quick said. “The sun will always come up on the state of Tennessee, and the sun will always come up in the city of Tullahoma.”

After a moment of silence, the American flag was raised for salute before being flown at half-staffed in recognition of Patriot Day, followed by the ringing of the bell on the vintage fire truck 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 Albert Haas to present the Patriot Award to one member of the Tullahoma fire and police departments. Walden presented the award to Tullahoma Police Investigator Jessica Taylor and Fire Engineer Michael McChesney. Taylor was recognized for her attention to detail, collaborative approach to interagency partners and success in leading complex investigations in high profile cases. McChesney was recognized for leading by example, never asking of others what he couldn’t’ do himself and for constantly earning the trust and admiration of his peers.

After the conclusion of the ceremony, city officials, attendees and the firefighters packed up and made their way to Tullahoma High School for the sixth annual 9/11 Stair Climb. Following the presentation of the colors from the THS JROTC, the national anthem and invocation from Quick, Pearson welcomed the participates and stated the climb was to honor and remember the lives lost, as well as recognize the strength that rose from the ashes of tragedy.

“Let us teach our children not just what happened, but why it matters,” Pearson said. “Let us live with purpose, kindness, and vigilance. Let us honor the fallen not only with words, but with actions that build a better, safer, and more compassionate world. May we never forget, may we always stand together. And may we go ahead and start walking.”

Then, the firefighters suited up and joined the JROTC cadets and other climbers as they climbed about 110 flights, or 2,200 steps, in five laps around the home side bleachers from end to end to pay tribute and respect to the fallen firefighters and first responders who climbed the World Trade Center to save lives. Several THS students also participated either in the stair climb or took laps around the track as the original ABC broadcast of the 9/11 attacks played over the speakers.

Each participant wore a badge, or several badges, with the name of a member for the FDNY who lost their lives that day. When the climbers finished, they went up to the podium, rang a bell and read out the names they carried with them.