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September 11, 2006
September 11, 2006 was a morning for remembering those who perished when four jetliners hijacked by terrorists crashed into the Pentagon, the twin towers of the World Trade Center and into a desolate field in Pennsylvania.
September 11, 2006 was a morning for remembering the heroism of the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 and the immediate response of the first responders to the Pentagon tragedy. And, with images etched into the minds of all who saw the twin towers topple, September 11, 2006 was also a morning for remembering the public safety teams who “went up into the towers, as persons were coming down.”
A 7:30am ceremony held at Plano Centre presented a platform of remembrance as those assembled were unified in thought for the 2,973 persons now confirmed dead in the early hours of September 11, 2001. Over 24 persons are still listed as “unaccounted for.” The mournful peal of a full-scale model of the Liberty Bell rang out after a moment of silence was observed, coinciding with the times of both airliner crashes into towers one and two of the World Trade Center.
McKinney Fire Chaplain Rickey Hargrave had traveled to New York City days after the tragedy to help minister to the already exhausted public safety teams still scouring the rubble of the twin towers to recover the bodies of their fallen comrades and others who had perished in the disaster. 257 Public Safety personnel had already been confirmed dead at that point.
“I just met a young man this past week here who was on the 102nd floor of tower two when the first plane struck tower one. He told me about the sounds and smells and the heat that was coming off the building. He went to his supervisor and said he was leaving the building and his supervisor told him if he left his post he would be fired. He advised me it was a “no brainer” and with other co-workers they made their way downstairs. He was down to the 54th floor when the second plane hit his building.”
Continued Chaplain Hargrave, “What he said struck him the most was now traveling through smoke and dust filled stairwells with his fellow workers and suddenly coming to a stop somewhere near the 30th floor. The passage was blocked and there was no way out. He pretty much thought it was all over. All at once he heard a voice and saw the familiar bunker gear of a fireman through the haze. A pathway had been cleared and the firefighter shouted to them to get out as quickly as possible. He advised they were on their way upstairs to help others. While this young man and his co-workers made it out, the firefighters going in did not.”
“As the Police and Fire do their work, so do we as citizens need to do our work,” Chaplain Hargrave told the assembly. “We need to take a moment to remember our Fire and Police Departments who go out to protect us every day and the men and women who are fighting for our freedom overseas. We must do our part to support them and thank them for doing the job they are doing to protect us.”
Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a proclamation which was read at the service by State Senator Ken Paxton. “Today, civil and military personnel are remaining vigilant,” the Proclamation read in part. “We must recognize always the importance of working in unity so our country remains united and focused.”
“We all remember where we were that day,” said Senator Paxton. “It’s important to stop and reflect on what happened today. We must remain optimistic that our nation will always be one of renewal.”
Sponsored by the Traumatic Loss Institute, the 9-11 Remembrance, held throughout the day at Plano Centre, will conclude tonight with musical presentations, high school speech winners, citizen and chaplain reflections on the tragedy, placement of wreaths and a special candlelight freedom walk at Plano Centre. Ceremonies begin at 5:30pm.
“I hope this day will not be one we put on our “to do” list and check it off when it’s over,” said organizer Dr. Charles Vance, Director of Trauma Recovery Services. “This should be a day when we all understand we need to be there for our first responders as they give their lives to protect us, whether in Fire or Police service or in the military. It is good that we take time to remember the fallen.”
At Plano Fire Station Central Administration in downtown Plano, motorists slowed to view the rows of American flags that dotted the landscape in front of the station.
“We’re here today to remember those who paid the ultimate price on September 11,” said Acting Plano Fire Chief Bob Acker.
After a few moments of reflective silence Plano Fire/Police Chaplain Robert Matthews recounted “the sad silence of countless lives snuffed out. “Hate won out that day, but it cannot win the war. A term like “hero” can’t measure the selflessness of the 343 New York City firefighters, and 60 New York City Port Authority officers who gave their lives when they ran up as others were running out. We gather to remember all those who lost their lives and those still grieving, not only for those lost in New York City but in Pennsylvania and the Pentagon.”
Plano’s historic fire bell rang out in a series of three rings, a tribute to the last alarm sounded in fire stations across New York City on the final call-out.
Whether through attending a remembrance service, watching the countless newscasts being shown today or simply using rush hour traffic time to reflect on where one was that day, the Plano community will always unite in remembrance of the victims, family and heroes of September 11.
For photos of today’s ceremonies, click here.
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