Mount Olive VFW Post 9959 members,from left, Jimmy Hudson, Hugh Martin and Ray Harrell, salute the U.S. flag after it was lowered to half staff during the Post’s 9/11 remembrance ceremony held Monday, Sept. 11. The ceremony also paid tribute to first responders. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Mount Olive VFW Post 9959 member Ray Harrell salutes after lowering the U.S., N.C. and POW/MIA flags at the Mount Olive Veterans Memorial. Harrell lowered the flags following the Post’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony Monday, Sept. 11, at the Post home. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Violet Saviak, Mount Olive VFW Post 9959 Auxiliary president, checks the list of first responder stations that Auxiliary members were delivering doughnuts to following the Post’s 9/11 ceremony. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Today was a day of remembrance, of paying tribute to the victims and heroes of the Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people.
For members of Mount Olive VFW Post 9959, their annual remembrance ceremony also is a time to say thank you to local first responders.
Post members come together to represent and remember who died that day — primarily the first responders, said John Moore, Post member, of the 9/11 remembrance.
“Many, many, many first responders in New York City, when those airplanes hit the Twin Towers, many responders ran into the fire, into the smoke trying to usher people out,” he said. “At the same time, they were experiencing tremendous difficulty.
“But when the towers were beginning to shake, and they were telling all of the first responders to get out, they stayed and continued to help. They saved untold lives.”
That dedicated service is still seen across the nation with today’s first responders, Moore added.However, at the same time there is an element of hate directed toward first responders, specifically the police, he said.
VFW members need to continue to support all first responders, most especially police officers who are constantly running into danger, Moore said.
“Attendance is weak, but we are mighty in power,” said Violet Saviak, Post 9959 Auxiliary president. “We are here today to remember what happened 22 years ago when terrorists attacked our country and over 3,000 people were killed.
“I know that I cannot remember what I did last Monday this time, but I know what I was doing and where I was 22 years ago. I hope that memory will remain in your heart and you will honor our first responders each and every year.”
Saviak read the timeline of the attacks beginning at 7:59 a.m. when the first of four planes that would be hijacked by terrorists took off.
At 8:46 a.m., the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, she said.
“And at 9:03 a.m., about this same time, the second plane crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center,” Saviak continued.
At 9:05 a.m., President George W. Bush, who was speaking at a Florida elementary school, was informed of the attacks and at 9:36 a.m. Vice President Dick Cheney was evacuated from the White House, she said.
At 9:30 a.m., Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
At 9:59 a.m., the South Tower collapsed followed by the North Tower 10:28 a.m.
At 10:02 a.m., Flight 93 crashed into a Pennsylvania field — brought down when passengers revolted.
“At 5:20 p.m., the 47-story 7 World Tower center building collapsed,” Saviak said. “How quick our world was changed by terrorists — at the blink of an eye thinking that nothing would happen that terrible that day.
“So, we never know we are all at risk. Just be thankful for what we have each day and give God the glory.”
The brief 9 a.m. ceremony at the Post home on North Church Street included prayer, a moment of silence, the playing of Taps and the loweringof the U.S. flag to half staff.
Following the ceremony, Harrell lowered the U.S., N.C. and POW/MIA flags to half staff at the Mount Olive, and auxiliary members delivered boxes of doughnuts to fire, rescue and law enforcement offices.
