Crockett Marks 25 Years Since 9/11 With Memorial Ceremony, Giant American Flag
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT — A giant American flag stretched across Downtown Park on Friday morning, held between a Houston County Electric Co-Op truck and a Trinity Fire Department truck as Crockett observed the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The park, located across from Crockett City Hall, welcomed local officials, first responders, veterans, students and visitors for a morning of remembrance.
The flag was donated for the occasion by Woodmen of the World. Its display became the centerpiece of a ceremony built around remembrance, service and the responsibility to ensure that the events of Sept. 11 are not forgotten.
Twenty-five years ago, 19 hijackers seized control of four commercial airplanes. American Airlines Flight 11 struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower at 8:46 a.m., followed by United Airlines Flight 175 striking the South Tower at 9:03 a.m.
American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., at 9:37 a.m. Passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 fought back against the hijackers, and the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at 10:03 a.m.
The South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m., followed by the North Tower at 10:28 a.m.
Nearly 3,000 people died that day, including office workers, airline passengers, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel and civilians. The attacks changed the country’s sense of security, altered airport and public-safety procedures, led to wars overseas and sent a generation of American service members into uniform.
The consequences also continued long after the towers fell. Families carried the loss of loved ones, first responders faced lasting physical and emotional consequences, and Americans who were children or teenagers in 2001 grew up in a country permanently shaped by the attacks.
Friday’s ceremony began with the tolling of a bell at 8:46 a.m. by Jason Frizzell, chief of the Crockett Fire Department. James Jellum, a veteran, performed Taps, and the Rev. Leon Wallace of Good Shepherd Fellowship Church delivered the invocation.
The Crockett High School band performed the national anthem.
Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher then presented a proclamation designating Sept. 11, 2026, as Patriot Day and a day of remembrance in Crockett.
The proclamation honored the people who died in the attacks, the first responders and civilians who gave their lives while helping others, and the families who continue to live with the loss.
Fisher said the tragedy remained painful to remember, but that the anniversary also reflected the country’s endurance.
“Even though it was a tragedy, the beautiful thing about it is that we’re still here,” Fisher said. “We’re standing with a purpose.”
The mayor said the anniversary should remind residents of the importance of unity, service, resilience and shared responsibility.
She closed the proclamation with a message that was repeated throughout the morning.
“May we remember, may we honor, and may we never forget,” Fisher said.
Houston County Judge Jim Lovell welcomed those attending on behalf of the county. He noted that 2,977 innocent people were killed in the attacks and emphasized that they represented every part of American life.
“They were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, first responders and ordinary Americans simply beginning their day,” Lovell said.
But Lovell said the attacks also revealed the courage of Americans placed in unimaginable circumstances.
“That day also showed us who we are,” he said. “Firefighters went into burning towers. Law enforcement ran back in to save strangers. Passengers on Flight 93 fought back.”
“In our darkest hour, we saw our brightest courage,” Lovell said.
Lovell said Friday’s gathering was not only a remembrance of those who died, but also an opportunity to honor the people who continue to serve.
“Here in Houston County, we remember, we honor the victims, we thank our first responders who stand ready every day, and we salute the veterans who answered the call to serve in the years that followed,” he said.
Crockett Police Chief Clayton Smith focused his remarks on the first responders who ran toward the danger while others were trying to escape.
Smith said he watched several documentaries about the attacks while preparing for the ceremony. One thing stood out to him: In the first moments of the attacks, many people did not understand what was happening, but firefighters and police officers recognized the danger.
“Nobody really knew what was going on,” Smith said. “Our government didn’t know what was going on. The citizens who were trying to get away from the buildings didn’t know what was going on.”
The firefighters moving toward the buildings, however, understood that the nation was under attack.
“You would hear them say, ‘We’re under attack. We’re being attacked,’” Smith said. “The police were the same way: ‘We’re under attack.’”
Smith said those moments demonstrated the importance of police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and other first responders.
“I think that just goes to show how important our police, fire and first responders are,” Smith said. “In a moment like that, they know what’s going on. They are the true frontline of this country.”
“I may be a little one-sided on that, but I truly feel that way,” he added.
Smith also pointed to the Crockett High School band and the young people attending the ceremony as an important part of the morning.
“I’m very encouraged to see that our Crockett High School band is here, our young members of this community,” Smith said. “I think it’s important that our children understand what happened, the events of 9/11 and what took place.”
Justin Brent, representing the Crockett Fire Department, recalled being a high school freshman when the attacks occurred. He remembered walking into class without knowing what had happened and then watching the news with his classmates after televisions were brought into the classrooms.
“We all sat there in silence and watched the replay that I’m sure most of you here today can still remember vividly in your mind,” Brent said.
Brent also remembered the way Americans responded in the days after the attacks, when people set aside political and personal differences to help one another.
He encouraged those attending to remember not only Sept. 11, but also Sept. 12 — the day after the attacks, when Americans came together in grief and service.
The program also included remarks from Sgt. Jeff Garner, a former military police officer representing American Legion Post 134; a performance of “Amazing Grace” by Pastor Chuck Allen; and a closing prayer by Pastor David Beaulieu of Crockett Lifepointe Church.
Charlana Kelly of Speak Truth Global Outreach helped close the ceremony and thanked the City of Crockett, Houston County, the American Legion, local first responders, Woodmen of the World, Houston County Electric Co-Op and the Trinity Fire Department for helping make the ceremony possible.
As the ceremony ended, attendees were invited to remain in the park, share refreshments and listen to the band.
Smith closed his remarks with a call that captured the purpose of the morning.
“May we never forget those who were taken from us,” he said. “May we never forget the families who continue to carry that loss. And may we never forget the men and women who ran toward danger when others were running away.”
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
