By
Vivian Austin The Mississippi Press on September 11, 2013
MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- It was a day of memories and thanks for sacrifice as remembrances of the 9/11 terrorist attacks were held in Moss Point and Gautier.
In Gautier, the citizens gathered this morning around the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Tower and the bell was tolled for the victims who died in the four plan crashes on Sept. 11, 2001.
In Moss Point, a Memorial Service held at Pelican Landing Conference Center included a color guard by Moss Point High ROTC, and a rousing rendition of the national anthem from Tenishia Davis.
Midway during speeches at the service, firefighter Kerry Matthews toned a bell to mark the time when the first airplane hit the twin towers, beginning the terrorist attack that included New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and Flight 93 over Pennsylvania.
The MPH Jazz Band provided "Amazing Grace" near the end of the program that drew applause from the crowd.
"We Will Never Forget Their Sacrifice" was the theme of the 30-minute program attended by more than 80 residents, police and firefighters, clergy, students, and school, county and city personnel and officials. An emergency exercise program took place after the ceremony.
Pastor David Newton of Dantzler Memorial United Methodist Church provided the opening invocation that repeated "Oh, Lord, 12 years have passed; yesterday, today and forever, let your love endure ... let your peace endure."
He said, "We remember how our lives are forever scarred by the stories" of the people who survived the attacks"
Fire Chief Clarence Parks, whose department served as host for the memorial, thanked everyone for attending the memorial to honor the lives of firefighters lost on 9/11, and thanked emergency personnel and service members for their service. He called 9/11 "one of the most dreadful days in American history."
Parks said, "Never forget those who sacrificed and will continue to sacrifice their lives for the love of this great country."
Mayor Billy Broomfield, as well as others, recounted his day from 9/11, where he was and the thoughts going through his head about how could that be possible in this country, in New York City, at the Pentagon and on Flight 93.
"The first responders didn't hesitate to get to the scene of all those areas," he said. "They put themselves in harm's way in order to make sure we knew where all those people were.... That's why they're first responders."
He thanked all local emergency personnel for their service, before the bell service. Later, he said he wants more people to attend the 9/11 services, that residents should never forget their sacrifice.
"I do whatever is necessary to make sure people know that freedom isn't free. There is a price to be paid.... "
Fire Chief Donny Lowery with the Escatawpa Volunteer Fire Department went through the numbers of NYC personnel and trucks lost to show the magnitude of the devastation of 9/11, especially in comparison to that day and what would be lost for his department. He and Chief Parks both believe in 'greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend ... and for people you don't know," as the reason for their careers.
"It's not because of the money. It's because it's something we love to do," said Lowery.
He said 9/11 brought firefighters across the country together, and it changed his life and the way security is handled in this country. "Everybody was put on alert. We had to look out for things we never had to look out for before, and some of those things still exist today."
Pastor Michael Perry of First Baptist Church SBC of Moss Point offered a Prayer of Unity based on the Book of Nehemiah: "Lord, if people have a mind and a will to work and work together you will bless them."
He asked for strength that the country rebuild. 'I pray that we have a mind to rebuild not only the physical structures but the heart of a people living and working together. We hope we will be a people who seek you for your will and direction."
Officer Bruce Lynd with the Pascagoula Police Department said, "What I remember about 9/11 is that people put their differences aside and said what can we do. We truly became the United States of America. ... We must never forget that fateful day."
Frank Duke with Acadian Ambulance Service talked about 9/11 firefighters as heroes and other emergency personnel. "Today I ask you to look around. We are all in the presence of heroes."
Elder Kelvin Bolton of the International House of Prayer received an ovation after his closing remarks and prayer. He had told the audience that as bad as 9/11 was, God said he had had mercy that day because the city of New York City had not been destroyed in the terrorist attack.
His words became moved as he talked about the mercy of God. "Every day that we get up, we have new mercies," he said.
He also talked about the dedication of police officers and other first responders, their lives and emotions; that police have to hold and comfort each other.
"You think the police don't cry? You think a man can't cry? They (in New York) were holding and comforting each other.
"Their lives were instantly changed. God gave their lives a brand new look. Not only can it happen in New York City. It can happen in Mississippi."
He told the audience to never forget the sacrifice of emergency personnel and service men and women who give their lives to protect America. "Never forget the sacrifices they make every day. Never forget we can lay down our lives for each other."
After the program, Police Chief Keith Davis remembered that day made America a country without races, physically because the ash made it impossible to tell who was who, and it unified everyone. "There were no different races. No white and black. Just God's people.
"It was the unity of everybody involved just for that moment in time. There is no difference between us. We are all one," he said.
Firefighter Roland Mims was 21 and in college in 2001. "When I first heard about it, I said we are in trouble," he said. "It was just great to see everybody come together and help each other."
He also appreciates the annual commemoration and that people honor first responders
.
