Sept. 11 Ceremony Held at City Hall

After three minutes of Norcross churches ringing their bells Sunday morning, the downtown bell continued to give an occasional ring throughout the city's Ceremony of Remembrance, a commemoration for that fateful day a decade ago. 

"Ten years ago today, Americans paid a great price," said Norcross Police Chief Dallas Stidd. "Today we remember all of those who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001." 

Taking place on the city hall lawn at 2 p.m., the Ceremony of Remembrance brought together dozens of locals to watch and listen to a collaboration of different members of Norcross. In addition to Stidd, Mayor Bucky Johnson, Battalion Chief Danny Rowland of the Gwinnett County Fire Department and Bishop William L. Sheals of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church said what Sept. 11 means to them.

"I think that it's important on this 10th year anniversay that we never forget," said Mayor Johnson during his speech, "that we pledge to each other to do the best we can and be the best we can be to represent our country."

Chaunda Walls sang the national anthem to a silent crowd, sending chills up everyone's spine. 

Norcross High School played a big part of the ceremony, too. The NHS colorguard did an uncasing of the colors formation; its brass ensemble played patriotic songs; and dozens of the school's ROTC members stood in formation throughout the entire event. 

After the NHS quintet played "America the Beautiful" to start the ceremony, a summary of events was told to remind us why we were there: the four attacks on the U.S. in New York and Washington, the 19 terrorists who hijacked the passenger jets, the collapse of the World Trade Center, and the nearly 3,000 deaths of civilians, firefighters, police officers, paramedics and others serving our country that day. 

Battalion Chief Rowland explained his personal Sept. 11 story when he had been stationed at Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross.  

"I've never been more prouder than to be in the fire service that day," said Rowland. "We lost 343 brothers and sisters that day in the fire service." 

There was also a pivotal moment when Bishop Sheals asked everyone to come together and join hands. Except for the ROTC members who were in formation, neighbors held hands and bowed their heads, adding to the feeling of being a united country. 

"As people, we touch and agree," said Bishop Sheals. "We bond our hearts and spirits, our service and freedom, and pledge that we will, as people, fight against the evil that has destroyed our nation."

The crowd seemed to appreciate the ceremony, too. Ruthy Paul, a new resident of Norcross, enjoyed the ceremony and thinks it should take place every year. 

And even though the event didn't bring as many people as one of Thrasher Park's free concerts, it still brought residents closer together as a community.

"I think it's a great turnout. I'm pleased, very pleased," said Welcome Center Coordinator Cate Kitchen, who helped plan the ceremony with Downtown Manager Tixie Fowler. 

"It was good to see the city of Norcross after 10 years still remembering those who sacrificed and those who gave their life that day," said Rowland.