A ceremony took place Friday at Winchester Hall.
Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick Catoctones Barbershop Quartet sang the National Anthem at WInchester Hall Friday afternoon during a ceremony to remember the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. 2,996 people died in attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon, as well as during an airplane crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Chief Chip Jewell, Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, who served as the master of ceremonies, noted that many in the audience in the first floor hearing room remember where they were when the planes hit the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. “But we have high school students that weren’t born. It’s a page of history to them,” he said. “So that’s why we’re here today. So those students understand, so our community doesn’t forget, so our nation doesn’t forget, what happened on September 11th, 2001.”
Also speaking was Major General Barbara Holcomb, the Commanding General of the US Army Medical Research and Material Command and Fort Detrick. “The acts of terror that were committed on September 11th were designed to replace freedom with fear. But they had a profoundly different affect. What the terrorists did not realize was that the Americans pulled together in a time of crisis, with pride and patriotism, with determination and resilience. This is indeed the land of the free and the home of the brave,” she said.
Four Frederick County residents lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. Bob Carlos’ son, Michael, 26, was a New York City fire fighter who entered the South Tower of the World Trade Center, and was lost. Alan Linton was an investment banker who was in his office at the South Tower when the attacks occurred. William Ruth and Lt. Col. Ronald Bach, both of Mount Airy, died when the commercial airline struck the Pentagon.
County Executive Jan Gardner noted that Americans came together following the terrorist attacks, but that unity has evaporated. “Today, some 15-years later, sometimes our sense of unity, at least for some, has faltered,” she said. “We certainly hear divisive political rhetoric. We debate sometimes the merits of our response to help others in times to crisis. As Americans, it’s our patriotic duty to help other Americans in times of need and distress.”
Part of the ceremony included a presentation of the colors by the Frederick Police Department Honor Guard, and the singing of the song “Stand Up America,” which was first sung at Baker Park in Frederick during a one-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
The 9/11 ceremony was sponsored by the Frederick City, the County and Fort Detrick.
The County encourages citizens to submit their memories, reflections and heartfelt appreciation to the heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty on September 11th, 2001 on a Facebook page entitled “September 11 Tribute–Frederick County, MD.”