Chattanoogans confront memories of 9/11 tragedy
As the bells of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Patten Chapel tolled out “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful,” pastor David Burke asked a question now synonymous with the memory of Sept. 11, 2001.
“Do you remember where you were?”
Residents all over Chattanooga on Monday remembered where they were and how they felt five years ago when hijackers attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon with commercial airliners, causing the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. A fourth hijacked jet crashed in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Burke, the pastor at UTC’s Presbyterian house, said he was spending the morning with students, preparing for a busy Tuesday.
“The usual banter among students was very quiet,” he said. “They were focused on that television.”
Facing the memory of such a tragedy can be hard, Mr. Burke said.
“If you can’t fully remember, I believe that’s OK. That’s a part of grieving,” he said. “But there are many across our country for whom Sept. 11 is not a faded
memory.”
Mr. Burke began his remarks and a bell was rung Monday at 8:46 a.m., the same minute that American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. His remarks were followed by a three-hour reading of the names of all those who died in the towers, at the Pentagon and on downed United Airlines Flight 93.
After the reading, a series of speakers made remarks at the chapel as 2,996 flags from nations all over the world were placed outside for each person who died in the attacks.
Tom Griscom, publisher and executive editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, said in his keynote address that each generation has a similar defining moment and that people are longing for a more innocent time.
“The political debate in our country will continue for years to come,” Mr. Griscom said. “That is the basic foundation of a free society where we are allowed to ask the question, ‘Why?’”
Local law enforcement officials gathered at the police memorial statue at 600 Market St. at 9 a.m. to honor not only the sacrifices made by those serving on Sept. 11, 2001, but the sacrifices made each day by every officer sworn to protect the public.
“They respond when other people are running in the other direction,” Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks said to a crowd of about 60 officers and residents. “That’s what police officers and firefighters do.”
Sixty police officers were killed as a result of the attacks, and 343 New York firefighters died.
The deaths of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Donald Bond on Sept. 6, 2001, and Chattanooga Police Officer Julie Jacks on May 6, 2002, are among the losses felt locally. Sheriff Billy Long, whose department organized the event, said he felt it was important to include them in Monday’s ceremony.
“We want to remember all fallen officers,” he said.
Sheriff Long included Deputy Bond’s mother, Lorraine Bond, in the brief service, which featured prayers by Soddy-Daisy Police Chaplain Tim Millsaps and local pastor Eugene Overstreet. Ms. Bond offered the final gesture of remembrance, placing a bouquet of red roses at the base of the statue.
Students at Tennessee Temple Academy volunteered at various nonprofit organizations,
fire halls and other agencies Monday as part of the school’s fourth annual 9/11 Community Service Day.
Baylor School held two memorial services at which the upper school choir performed three songs in memory of the victims of Sept. 11. Recordings of the performances will be made available on the school’s Web site, school spokeswoman Barbara Kennedy said.
At Lookout Valley Elementary, fifth-graders sang the national anthem and “A Song of Peace”
over the loudspeaker in the morning and the student body dressed in red, white and blue. Local firefighters and police officers read patriotic-themed books and answered questions in each of the classrooms.
“It was kind of sad,” fifthgrader Chase Clounch said. “It reminds us that people can attack. We’re always vulnerable.”
Parent Teacher Organization President Michelle Hoge, who helped organize the events, said it is important for children to
hear the story of Sept. 11, even if they were not born when the attacks occurred.
“This needs to be remembered every day,” she said.
Hixson High held an assembly Monday during which it honored unsung heroes.
“For some people, it was emotional,” said freshman Orlando Gillespie. “A few people started crying.”
Chattanooga resident Judy Shipley attended a commemorative Eucharist service Monday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
“It’s a sad day, but I feel like I can pay tribute to all the Americans who lost their lives and their families,” she said. “I’m here to pray for them.”
The Rev. Benjamin H. Nelson III told the congregation not to focus on the horror of the day.
“For today, I cannot let the images and events of that day dictate my response,” he said. “I think there’s a huge difference between reliving and remembering.”
By being present at worship, praying and seeking help, he said, people can do justice to the memories and lives of those who died.