Coming Sunday
On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, The Times examines the question of whether we as a nation and a region are safer following the security changes made since the terrorist attacks. Sunday’s paper will include that and many more stories about how the world is different, such as how a young generation who doesn’t remember that day learns about its history and how 9/11 affected our political climate.
9/11 local memorial events
Memorial service
What: Honor guards perform
When: 9:30 a.m. Saturday
Where: Fire Station No. 1, 725 Pine St., Gainesville
How much: Free
More info: 770-534-3612
Patriotic Concert
What: Choir and jazz winds band performances
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Riverside Military Academy, 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville
How much: $10 Northeast Georgia History Center members, $15 nonmembers
More info: 770-297-5900
Memorial service
When: 9 a.m. Sunday
Where: Peachtree Point, Lake Lanier Islands Resort
How much: Free
More info:operation onevoice.org
Service of Remembrance and Hope
What: Combined choir performance
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Piedmont College Chapel, 165 Central Ave., Demorest
How much: Free
Candlelight ceremony and military tribute
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: North Georgia College & State University drill field, Dahlonega
How much: Free
Click here to read transcripts and hear audio clips from air traffic controllers on Sept. 11
Of nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, more than 400 were public safety personnel.
That statistic makes the anniversary especially poignant for local firefighters and police officers who consider public safety personnel their "brothers and sisters."
"There's a common bond throughout the fire services, so we'll never forget them, and we'll always honor them every year in some way on Sept. 11," said Jon Canada, chief of the Gainesville Fire Department.
"In the scope of things, that 415 may seem small, but it's huge to us in public safety," he added.
And to honor those "brothers and sisters," Hall County authorities have organized multiple memorial services.
Thursday morning police personnel and government officials attended the 10th annual "9/11 Prayer Breakfast" at Lakewood Baptist Church on Thompson Bridge Road.
Among those in attendance was Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle of Chesnut Mountain.
"This was really an effort to show appreciation to our first responders with law enforcement along with the fire department and (emergency medical technicians) and those that really put their lives on the line for us each and every day," Cagle said.
The event, which was co-sponsored by Hall County Sheriff Steve Cronic, was dedicated to not only public safety responders but everybody killed during the attacks.
"There was a lot of innocent lives lost on 9/11, but those in public safety, I always like to think that they didn't lose their lives as much as they gave their lives to the people they were serving," Cronic said.
Along with Thursday's breakfast, public safety officials will also be holding a memorial service at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Gainesville Fire Station on Pine Street.
During the memorial, there will be a moment of silence to honor those killed in the attacks. Officers will also stop traffic during that time.
"We never want to forget what this country went through," said Joe Britte, public safety officer for the Gainesville Police Department. "I think through this whole ordeal it made us strong as not only people, but also as a nation."
Britte said in some way nearly every person in the United States was affected by 9/11.
"It's something that is dear to the heart of everyone," he said. "There were fathers that were lost, moms, dads, officers, firemen, relatives, you name it folks died in that rubble. So it's something we should always remember."
The service will include performances by the honor guards from the Gainesville Police Department, the Gainesville Fire Department and the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
Speakers will include Canada, Cronic and Gainesville Police Chief Brian Kelly.
The fire department also received a piece of steel from the World Trade Center sent by the New York Port Authority. The steel will presented during the ceremony and will then be displayed in the lobby of Fire Station No. 1.