Officials remember 9/11 attack 21 years later with reflection ceremony
FLINT, MI — Our country watched on in disbelief Sept. 11, 2001 as planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City.
An act of terror that led to heroics from everyday people and first-responders risking their lives — some even perishing as they ran toward danger to rescue others on a day now etched into American history.
Now, 21 years later, a beam of twisted metal from the World Trade Center stands as a reminder at Mott Community College’s Prahl College Center Building to what was lost and to those who paid the ultimate price that day.
“Most of us still remember it like it was yesterday,” said Sgt. Eric Rodgers of the Mott Community College Department of Public Safety. “For many Americans, the day started off just like today. Clear skies. Sunshine. Waking up to have breakfast. Maybe taking our children to school. Maybe getting ready for work. And in a moment, on that sunny day, that clear sky — everything changed. We were then faced with horror and tragedy as the events unfolded.”
Rodgers watched live as the second plane struck the World Trade Center, an image now burned in his memory. he continued to watch all day, hearing of the bravery displayed by citizens and first-responders alike.
Nearly 3,000 individuals lost their lives that day, he said, and another 25,000 injured. He stated 415 of those were firefighters, police office and other first-responders.
“We witnessed the devastation, but at the same time, we witnessed resolve. We witnessed bravery. And we witnessed extraordinary courage,” Rodgers said. “We saw first-responders running into the building to try to save as many people as they could, setting aside their own safety. What a display of courage. ... We saw ordinary people choose duty in the face of death. It wasn’t only firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel. We saw security guards offering assistance. We saw a spirit of helping.
“Such courage displayed. Courage doesn’t mean you don’t experience fear, but that you do what is needed despite the fear. First-responders displayed a remarkable level of courage. ... We are still today dealing with the aftermath.”
With the flag raised to half staff, the college held a September 11 reflection ceremony Friday, Sept. 9 at this site.
Alexis Mallet, a fellowship recipient and vocal major at MCC, sang “God Bless America” as dozens of law enforcement stood at attention to honor those who died in the attack.
Bevery Walker-Griffea, president of Mott Community College, quoted Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner,” citing it with questions of how he must have felt in his time and how Americans similarly felt during the 9/11 attack.
“Twenty-one years have passed since we anxiously watched our televisions to see when the smoke cleared and the dense, grey rubble finally had fallen to the ground, was our flag still (there),” Walker-Griffea said. “Were we after the most horrible tragedy to occur in my generation on the morning of September 11, 2001 still home? This morning, we honor those whose lives were cut short, those families torn apart, those first responders who rushed in to save lives and became heroes that we will never see again.
“Our country unified during that time with strangers and foes becoming a united front against terror. We felt the meaning of what it was to be an American. ... Today, we remember and we honor, but let us never forget, as a nation, no matter what perilous fight we may be in or what bombs that come out of nowhere and burst in mid-air or the rockets red glare that hail all around us, our broad stripes and our bright stars are still waving, giving proof through any darkness that may surround us that we, here today, are still home — home in the land of the free and where the people are brave.”
Chief Micahel A. Odette of Mott Community College’s Department of Public Safety spoke of the acts of the passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93, commending their heroic efforts to stop terrorism. Odette called for a moment of silence for the “heroes lost on that day.”
“These incredible acts of bravery and selflessness demonstrate the very fabric of what makes our country the greatest place in the world to live,” Odette said. “We cannot — we will not forget.”
Read more on MLive.com:
‘I did it!’: Athletes share strength, joy at Crim’s Lois Craig Invitational
Family, friends celebrate high-energy athlete, Flint rapper after life cut short to gun violence
‘If any town can bounce back, it’s Holly.’ Residents resilient after massive downtown fire
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022).
© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.