Havelock marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 with memorial ceremony

HAVELOCK, N.C. (WITN) - Community members gathered in Havelock to remember the lives lost 25 years ago on September 11.

Dozens of residents, first responders, veterans, and others gathered beside the 9/11 memorial this morning, honoring the thousands of people who died.

The Havelock 9/11 memorial centers on a piece of the World Trade Center and contains artifacts, bricks, and remnants from all sites affected by the attack.

The ceremony included a wreath-laying, a moment of silence, and more, as the world continues to mourn 25 years later.

Katey Simmons is an Octo-training firearms instructor who teaches firearm safety with her friend. Her friend was a first responder in New York during the attacks. They both came out with the “Flag of Heroes”, a flag that lists the names of every first responder who died, to honor them.

“We show up to support those who have fallen, to remember those who gave everything, and for those who are in our community who lost family members and friends in that incident,” said Simmons.

James Hunter, who works at the Harlowe Volunteer Fire Department, says it is also important to remember those responders who died in the time following the attacks.

“We lost so many after the fact, and I think some people miss the contributions that those brave men and women provided for us as well, so to me that’s why I come out because I don’t ever, ever want them to be forgotten,” Hunter said.

Event attendees say they will always remember where they were when the attacks happened. They also stressed the importance of never forgetting the day and educating the younger generation about when America changed.

“Death is something we don’t like to talk about when it comes to little kids, but we have to because it’s important,” Grinda Fleshman, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26 commander, said. “And the military is important, and so many people- I don’t know if people know, but a lot of people did join because of 9/11. They went into the service because they wanted to help.”