City pays tribute to fallen heroes 9/12

This service of remembrance and hope began with the presentation of colors by the Bell County High School Air Force JROTC. Followed by Larry and Karen Greene Blondell singing the Star Spangled Banner . “This year has undoubtedly left us changed. For some who are opinionated, they were left speechless. For those who are quiet, they suddenly had words to speak.” said Larry Thacker Jr. in his opening remarks to the crowd. “We have all found way to trudge through this week and the last 52 weeks on our own pathway.”

Thacker also touched on other events such as the anthrax scares we experienced directly after the attack, the businesses both large and small which suffered immeasurable loses, the refusal of some to ever fly again and the feeling vulnerable to another attack. Reverend John Bowling, President of the Ministerial Association, presented a litney of remembrance and hope to which the audience read along.

Representing the Baha’i Faith was done by Mrs. Houshang Khorram who also read from the writings of the Baha’i Faith Scriptures. Those in attendance honored the servicemen present with applause and heartfelt thanks. The service agencies represented were • Middlesboro Police and Fire Departments • Pineville Police and Fire Departments • Bell County Sheriff’s Department • Bell County Rescue Squad • Kentucky State Police • Frakes Volunteer Fire Department • Bell County Volunteer Fire Department • Salvation Army • Cooperative Christian Ministries • American Legion • National Guard • United Way • Veterans and those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

During a unison prayer two candles were lit to ‘light the way to a better world for our children and our children’s children and all the children of God.’ The service concluded with a moment of silence.

None of us will ever forget where we were or what we were doing that September morning. But for this generation that day defined us much like the assassination of President Kennedy defined our preceding generation and Pearl Harbor defined the generation before them.

If we as Americans have learned anything, it is that tragedy indelibly brings out the best in each us.