The annual In Honor and Remembrance service for the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorists’ attacks, was held once again at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse lawn last Thursday, September 11.
The event is organized each year by WoodmenLife Chapter 1145 in Jena and is a time to remember and honor the victims and heroes from that fateful day in America’s history.
“Today’s ceremony honors the heroes and victims of September 11, 2001, and fulfils our promise to never forget that tragic day,” stated featured speaker at the event Jarrett Thaxton, sales representative for WoodmenLife. “We also pay tribute to our military, both past and present, who selflessly protect our freedom and liberty. And on the local level, this ceremony extends our unending gratitude to those who safeguard our community, the firefighters, police officers, emergency medical techs and other first responders who put their lives on the line for our safety.”
The service begins each year promptly at 9 a.m., the approximate time of the morning the first passenger airplane struck the first World Trade Center tower in New York City. A short time later, a second plane struck the second tower, another was crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and a fourth plane was overtaken by passengers to prevent more deaths. It crashed in Pennsylvania.
The terrorists’ attacks were orchestrated by Osama bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda, who was killed by a U.S. Navy Seal team on May 2, 2011, in Pakistan – ten years after the U.S. attacks.
“On September 11, 2001, 2977 lives were lost in the terrorist attacks. Of those, 455 were first responders who were rescuing victims,” Thaxton continued. “According to the National Fire Administration, since January 2002, 1,590 firefighters have died on duty. During that same period, according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, 3,585 police officers have died serving and protecting their communities. It is for this reason that we’re here today, to let all first responders and their families know that we appreciate your sacrifices.”
The special service last Thursday began with WoodmenLife Representative Lisa Grant welcoming everyone and providing introductions, followed by prayer by longtime Jena minister Johnnie Phillips.
“In view of everything that happened yesterday (referring to the assignation of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk), I want to read a scripture, 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind,” Phillips said. “This is not the time for America to back up. It’s a stime for us to stand up for what we believe.”
After Phillips prayed, the LaSalle Parish Veterans Honor Guard presented the American Flag and posted it to the courthouse flagpole and then Jena High junior Caleb Parker sang the National Anthem.
Lori Gremillion, of the LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court’s Office, sang America the Beautiful.
Later in the program, the Honor Guard lowered the flag to half-mast and performed a Taps memorial tribute.
“We gather on this day to honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to remember the heroes that ran towards danger 24 years ago today,” Lisa Grant said. “May we never forget that day.”
