Hoover Patriot Day ceremony remembers Sept. 11

Hoover firefighters, police officers and residents gathered today to remember and reflect on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The City of Hoover’s Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony was held at Hoover Fire Station No. 2, drawing a crowd of more than 50 community members.

“Today’s short ceremony will allow us to remember those who lost their lives during the horrible events that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001,” said Hoover FD Executive Officer Rusty Lowe. “First responders around the world are having similar ceremonies as we speak, and are sending the message with us that those lives lost that day will never be forgotten.”

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, Capt. David Hambright thanked several members of the audience for attending, including Mayor Gary Ivey, council members Jack Wright and Joe Reeves, City of Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Powell.

“Finally, I would like to recognize those who served or are currently serving to protect our nation,” Hambright said. “I would like to recognize the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, thank you seems so inadequate. We need to remember to thank the people not only today, but every day.”

Retired U.S. Congressman Spencer Bachus also spoke at the event, recounting the numbers connected with tragic events in United States history.

“It’s not 9/11 that I want to talk about and I want to focus on,” Bachus said. “It’s a number within 9/11 that my son, who is a volunteer firefighter in Rocky Ridge … He reminded me that to firefighters, whether you’re a volunteer at Rocky Ridge or full-time fighter, the number 343 stands out.”

That is the number of firefighters who died on Sept. 11, 2001, Bachus said. Those firefighters helped in one of the most successful and effective rescue operations in U.S. history that day, he said.

“What they were doing, as everyone else was fleeing the building … they were going into danger, not fleeing danger,” Bachus said. “They were going into a building, risking their lives so that others could live.”

Bachus said the courage of firefighters helped save the 25,000 people who successfully fled the World Trade Center.

“And most of them [the survivors] would tell you to this day, ‘I’m safe because of a firefighter who gave his life,’” Bachus said. “… Think about [the firefighters], think about their families. Think about their courage. We did the pledge of allegiance, and they make us proud. They lived up to that pledge, and we are a better country for that today.”

Following Bachus’ speech, a bell was tolled to recognize those who died on Sept. 11.

“The bell signifies that the tour of duty is over. We ring it today in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on that day,” said Chief Rick Patterson.