Pike Road Holds 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
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Communities across the country are remembering 9/11 and paying tribute to those who died on this day 13 years ago. In Pike Road, a ceremony was held to commemorate 9/11.
Retired Colonel Chuck Douglas spent more than 25 years serving in the U.S. Air Force and was at the Pentagon 13 years ago when a plane flown by terrorists struck the building.
“We were in this briefing so literally the first time that I knew that something was very wrong was when the plane hit the pentagon and the lights went out,” he says. “The smoke came down the hall and everything shook. I knew it was horrible at that point.”
Douglas was the keynote speaker at Pike Road’s 9/11 ceremony put on by the Pike Road Ladies Auxiliary and the Montgomery County Volunteer Firefighters Association. The event was four months in the making.
“To remember and honor those who gave their life but also to pay recognition for our law enforcement, fire fighters and first responders who service today,” says Debbie Green, President of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Donica Knight came back to Montgomery County from Nashville to sing the Star Spangled Banner.
“There are so many different meanings,” she says. “It just makes me feel blessed to be in a country that has such heroes.”
Several organizations came out to support the community. Representatives from Alabama Power grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for all in attendance.
“People lost their lives serving our country and it’s just about the dedication and selflessness of Americans,” says Alabama Power Rep Kim Savage.
And like so many, residents of Pike Road tell us they remember exactly where they were on this day 13 years ago. Eddie Westbrook tells us he was at the beach with his wife.
“The first plane had already hit and the second plane was just moments away, unbeknowing to me and her of course, and we just sat there for hours in shock.”
Montgomery County Chief Deputy Derrick Cunningham, Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone and other elected officials spoke at the ceremony.
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