Inspiration, appreciation and remembrance were the themes of the ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that was hosted by the Robert Rankin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the City of Livingston at Pedigo Park.
The Livingston High School JROTC raised the flags under the direction of Maria Dominguez and the Livingston High School Choir led the national anthem under the direction of Dr. Timothy Snyder.
Words of Inspiration
County Judge Sydney Murphy offered words of inspiration as she thanked the students for their participation, in addition to thanking the first responders and citizens who stepped up to go above and beyond.
“We’re here to commemorate everybody that was impacted. The whole world was impacted. In this 25th year, think about what happened afterward. Everybody stepped forward, neighbors helping neighbors.
“Polk County, in my mind, is one of the most giving, and forgiving, communities. I want to thank those who go to work every single day and volunteer every single day. Our local volunteer fire departments are the ultimate volunteers,” Murphy said, commenting on “the true value of being a volunteer community.”
Words of Appreciation
Livingston Mayor Judy B. Cochran offered words of appreciation.
“I was recalling 25 years ago and I’m sure you all remember where you were 25 years ago. My nephew was one of them in New York. He called his mom and said, ‘I’m okay,’ and then the phone went dead. It was hours before she heard from him again.
“What we saw was people running away from the World Trade Center. What we didn’t see was first responders running toward the World Trade Center. They still continued to run toward the disaster.
“We need to think about what we did on 9/12. We owe a debt of gratitude for what the first responders did that day and what they continue to do today,” Cochran said.
Words of Remembrance
LISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Pack offered words of remembrance.
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this important morning. Twenty-five years. For some of us, it doesn’t feel like it was 25 years ago. We were watching TV in confusion and disbelief and then the reality that our nation had been attacked.
“We remember the lives who were changed forever. Families, men and women of the armed forces, the sacrifice deserves more than a moment of silence once a year.
“As a superintendent of schools, I’m thinking about our children. The students walking our halls were not alive. Many of their parents were children. For them, it is history. For us, it’s memory. We have to tell them the story, not only that morning, but after, neighbors checking on neighbors, Americans standing shoulder to shoulder.
“There’s far more that unites us than divides us. Remembrance should change the way we live forward. We honor Sept. 11 when we choose kindness over cruelty. Citizenship is not something we simply inherit. It’s something we practice. I see that here in Livingston and Polk County.
“Community members come together when people need help. None of us knows when the next difficult day will happen. Run away or toward? May we teach the generations that follow what happened. Service matters. Courage matters. Community matters,” Pack said.
Tolling of the Bells
“We’ve talked about the first responders but there’s one group that supports them and that’s the men and women that have served in the military,” Livingston Fire Chief Corky Cochran said.
Harking back to the assassination of President Kennedy and the two space flights, Cochran said, “It is the duty of all Americans to remember that day 25 years ago, a normal day across America for folks just like us in New York, Washington, D.C. and a quiet farming community in Shanksville, Penn., yet by noon, nearly 3,000 lives had been lost.
“Hundreds and hundreds of responders saved property they don’t own and saved lives of people they’ve never known. Three hundred forty-three New York City firefighters never returned. There’s an empty chair at the table for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays. They’ll never hold their kids again, see their grandkids, walk a daughter down the aisle. (Being a first responder) is the greatest bond known to mankind,” he said.
Cochran told a little about the history of the bells, how there were used to communicate during a time when there were no radios, how when a fire was out, bell tones signaled that that particular emergency was complete, the three sets of five tones.
Firefighter’s Prayer
Livingston Firefighter Brandon Prescott recited the Firefighter’s Prayer as Livingston Firefighter Craig Jones tolled the bells.
“When I am called to duty, God wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child before it's too late,
or save an older person from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me,
to guard my neighbor and protect his property.
And if according to your will I have to lose my life,
bless with your protecting hand my loving family from strife.”
EMT’s Prayer
EMT Tyler Namken recited the EMT’s Prayer as EMT Ricky Taylor tolled the bells.
“As I perform my duty, Lord, whatever be the call,
Help to guide and keep me safe from dangers big and small.
I want to serve and do my best, no matter what the scene.
I pledge to keep my skills refined, my judgement quick and keen.
This calling to give of myself, most don't understand,
But I stand ready all the time to help my fellow man.
To have the chance to help a child restore his laugh with glee,
A word of thanks I might not hear, but knowing is enough for me.
The praise of men is fine for some, but I feel truly blessed.
Thank you, Oh Lord, for have chosen me to serve in EMS.”
Police Officer’s Prayer
Livingston Police Lieutenant Jack Mueller recited the Police Officer’s Prayer and then tolled the bells.
“Lord I ask for courage
Courage to face and
Conquer my own fears...
Courage to take me
Where others will not go...
I ask for strength
Strength of body to protect others
And strength of spirit to lead others...
I ask for dedication
Dedication to my job, to do it well
Dedication to my community
To keep it safe...
Give me Lord, concern
For others who trust me
And compassion for those who need me...
And please Lord
Through it all
Be at my side...”
The ceremony concluded with the Livingston High School Choir singing “God Bless America,” followed by at 21-gun salute and taps by the American Legion.
