“Never forget” was the ongoing theme of the 9/11 Prayer and Remembrance Ceremony held Thursday to honor first responders on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terroristic attacks. The annual ceremony was hosted by the Robert Ranking Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the City of Livingston.
“The city is happy to sponsor this with the DAR. Twenty-four years ago, our country was under attack. Our world changed. We were scared. I was scared. I’m sure the first responders were scared. But they stepped up … and continue to step up. Let us never forget,” Mayor Judy B. Cochran said.
Livingston Fire Chief Corky Cochran recognized those who in attendance who have served in the military.
“What happened that day was just a tragic part of our history. We’re honoring those lives that were lost … those 3,000 people who would never come home. Thousands of first responders rushed in protecting property they didn’t own and people they didn’t know. That’s what we do. Those towers are forever branded in our memory. That day it mattered not what their territory covered. They worked as one,” Cochran said.
“Fire service is rich in tradition dating back to Benjamin Franklin,” he said, commenting how they used bells for communication. “It’s our hope and prayer that their tour of duty ended on the streets of Heaven.
Livingston Firefighter Alan Cook recited the fireman’s prayer as Livingston Firefighter Brandon Prescott rang a set of five bell tones. EMT Tyler Namken recited the EMT prayer as EMT Ricky Taylor rang a set of five bell tones. Livingston Police Officer C.J. Knighton recited the law enforcement prayer and rang a set of five bell tones.
The Livingston High School Choir sang the National Anthem and God Bless America. VFW Post 8568 Honor Guard provided a 21-gun salute, in addition to “Taps” on the bugle and “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes.
County Judge Sydney Murphy presented an antique water pump that was found during the ongoing historic restoration of the Polk County Courthouse and presented it to Cochran, echoing the old commercial, “We’ve come a long way baby.”
Murphy also touched on the importance of saying thank you and showing respect in dialog and actions. “We all need to be part of the solution.”
