Many residents in Brownwood took time out of their day Sunday to stop and honor those lost on September 11, 2001. Several ceremonies throughout the day remembered the tragedy ten years ago – in prayer, in song, and some recounting their experiences in New York as the events unfolded and in the aftermath.
Remembering the Day
Brownwood residents Dana and Lana Smith spoke about their experiences in New York City on September 11th as they were near the towers when the airplanes struck. The Smiths were visiting their daughter in New York, and although they were not initially sure what was happening while in the midst of the events, the tragedy is obviously etched into their memories.
“You are just trained to think, someone’s going to come and save everybody; they will put out the fire and everything will be okay,” said Lana Smith as she told their story. “One of the most disconcerting things was that no one was in control.”
The Smith’s escaped with their family, although they were stuck in New York for about a week after the events. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith shared their perspectives on 9/11 and what memories were most heavy on their hearts.
“The hardest part to take, and everybody’s seen that, would be people putting pictures up of the people that didn’t come home; lost people,” said Dana Smith. “That is absolutely heart rendering to see those people there.”
See the video below as Dana Smith remembers his experience of 9/11.
Also on hand at this event was area first responders Dave Fair and Dan Chapman who were dispatched to Ground Zero days after the attacks to support the recovery effort.
The men talked about their experiences as well and the physical and mental trauma that firefighters and police experienced during the recovery and cleanup.
Chapman said that when he arrived in New York City he was taken to Ground Zero immediately and asked to go on the rubble to pray over some body parts that were found.
“What kind of prayer do you pray over body parts,” Chapman said. “Seminary does not prepare you for that.”
Mayor Stephen Haynes helped close the remembrance event by telling of his memories working in Dallas in a downtown high-rise building and how the events affected him. Haynes reflected on leaving work early and spending the day watching the events on television with his family like most of America.
“After we move beyond the grief, to me the greatest thing that occurred, or comes out of 9/11, is the enduring spirit and character of the American people,” said Haynes. “Americans have endured through a tremendous tragedy but have come out the other side of it with a renewed sense of patriotism and commitment to the principals of liberty and freedom that I think is unprecedented since World War II.”
Live music and prayer were also included in the ceremony at the Salvation Army headquarters on Sunday. Music was led by High Mesa Cowboy Church pastor Todd King (Pictured top right).
Top photo shows the Smiths sharing their story.
Praying for the Nation
The north side of the Brown County Courthouse was the location of a prayer and music event on Sunday to pray for America and those lost in 9/11.
The simple ceremony remembered the events of that day 10 years ago and those in attendance offered prayer for leaders, military, first responders, and all Americans when looking back on the events.
“May the terrible tragedy of 9/11 never be seen in our land again,” said organizer of the event Ava Hicks.
Hicks and High Mesa Cowboy Church pastor Todd King led prayer, read bible verses, and sang songs for the approximately four dozen in attendance (pictured above left).
Remembrance in Song
Howard Payne University’s School of Music and Fine Arts presented a memorial program Sunday afternoon, titled “Remembering 9/11: A Decade Later.”
Lt. Gen. Terry Scott, former Brand Visiting Professor, was the keynote speaker for the event. In addition, the program included dramatic interpretation, readings and music.
“We are here to memorialize those who died 10 years ago, and those who paid the ultimate price in defense of our safety and freedom,” said Howard Payne President Dr. Bill Ellis in his introduction. “We are a people of freedom, and where there is freedom there is light.”
Scott outlined the significance of what the events of 9/11 were to America from both military and ordinary citizens.
“We do know life in the United States changed dramatically after the attacks,” Scott said.
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Video of Dana Smith telling his story. Note – audio is low due to their microphone not working. Readers may need to increase their volume to hear.
