Crockett To Mark 25th Anniversary of 9/11 With Downtown Memorial Ceremony

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT — For those who lived through Sept. 11, 2001, the memory of where they were and how they first heard about the attacks has never faded.

For the last few years, Crockett has held a local memorial ceremony to remember the lives lost and the events that changed the nation. This year’s gathering will mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and will be held Friday, Sept. 11, at Downtown Park.

The ceremony will begin at 8:40 a.m., with the program’s first bell tolling scheduled for 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center.

Jason Frizzell, Crockett Fire Department chief, will lead the bell tolling. The ceremony will then include an observance of the timeline of the attacks and a moment of silence.

James Jellum, a well-known local veteran, will perform “Taps.” Leon Wallace, pastor of Good Shepherd Fellowship Church, will offer the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Oliver Stephens, a homeschooled seventh-grade student.

Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher will present a proclamation, and the Crockett High School Band will perform the national anthem.

The program’s remarks will include Houston County Judge Jim Lovell, Houston County Sheriff Zac Benge, Crockett Police Chief Clayton Smith, Sgt. Jeff Garner, a former military police officer representing American Legion Post 134 and Justin Brent of the Crockett Fire Department.

The ceremony will also include “Amazing Grace,” led by Pastor Chuck Allen. Pastor David Beaulieu of Crockett Lifepointe Church will offer the closing prayer.

Charlana Kelly of Speak Truth Global Outreach will close the ceremony and introduce the Crockett High School Band.

The gathering will provide an opportunity for local residents to pause together and remember the people whose lives were lost on Sept. 11, as well as the firefighters, law enforcement officers, military personnel and civilians who responded during the hours and days that followed.

The event’s refreshments will be sponsored by Speak Truth Global Outreach. The program identifies the brunch as hosted by Kelly and Speak Truth Global Outreach.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]