BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
This afternoon, Sept. 11, 2020, the American Legion Post 133 of Millbrook held a 9/11 Memorial service, also honoring area first responders for what they do every day.
It was a “Thanksgiving Feast” in September, as attendees were served a traditional Thanksgiving day meal following the ceremony.
“We are here today to honor all those lives lost 19 years ago,” American Legion Commander Leslie Looney said. “2,996 innocent lives that were claimed that day. Of those victims of 911, 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers that put their lives on the line every day to protect people they didn’t even know. Unfortunately, we are still losing those first responders today.”
American Legion Post 133 Chaplain Ren Arredondo led the group in prayer.
Looney wanted to thank everyone that participated in the 9/11 Ceremony today including all of the volunteers, the Elmore/Autauga News, Millbrook Mayor Al Kelly, Chief P.K.Johnson, Chief Larry Brown, Ashley Winters who sang the Star Spangled Banner, and guests.
“Above all else, I thank our First Responders and Military that put their lives on the line every day to protect our great country and people they have never met. We will never forget. For God and Country!” Looney said.
Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley thanked the American Legion for hosting this event.
“I want to thank you and honor you. It is so great to be at the American Legion Post 133. It is because of people like you, that we will continue the fight. We are not going to give up. A lot of people lost their lives. Those men and women that worked in the buildings, those people on the planes, and the first responders. Hopefully nothing like that will ever happen again. It saddens my heart. But what brightens my heart is looking out there and seeing you. The veterans, the officers and the fire personnel. Everybody. The future of our city and country is in good hands. We just have to keep the young ones coming up right here in behind us.”
Keynote speaker was Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson.
“It is always an honor to speak to a group of people that have served our country. I appreciate your service and what you have done for us,” Johnson said.
He said it hard to believe that it has been 19 years since the attacks. He had just come home from working all night on shift. He was on the phone with his father, when the first plane hit. Then the second plane hit the towers.
“I realized it wasn’t an accident. I realized this country was at war. Then more planes, and it just continued. I have never had a feeling like that since then and I hope I never do. A lot of bad things happen in this career that we are in. The fire service and law enforcement…we see bad things every day. We see people at their worst. We see tragedy. But I don’t think anyone has ever seen that level unless you have been in wars that some of you have been in.”
Johnson said that the upcoming election is extremely important for the America that we love.
“We need to press the fight. Believe it or not this country is at war right now. If you don’t believe that, then you don’t watch the news,” Johnson said. “We have people telling us that we need to be divided as a nation. We have people saying police officers are bad guys. We have people telling us that people who have served in the military and put their lives on the line every day don’t matter. I don’t believe that. Matter of fact, I know far better than that. So what I want to do today is challenge each and everyone of you, that it is not only your right, but your duty to get out and vote your conscience and make sure that our voices are heard. I think if we don’t do that we are going to give up everything that people in this room fought for and served this country for. People lost their lives for it.
“For at least another four or five years I am going to get up every day and put this gun and badge on. I don’t know how much longer Chief Brown has. But I think I can speak for him. We are going to continue to serve the citizens of Millbrook doing the things we do. We appreciate you honoring us today and letting us be a part of this ceremony. No matter how long, we will never forget the people that died that day. We will not forget the sacrifices of the heroes that day.”
All participants then stood up and gave a round of applause to the multitude of first responders present.
Commander Looney then read a poem written by Shirley Hall, “The Day the Eagle Cried.”
“An Eagle shed a tear today
As he flew over his domain,
He heard and watched his children die
And his heart cried out in pain.
But from the crash, mid smoke and ash,
Grew a power both great and rare;
It touched the souls of young and old
And gathered them in prayer.
Oh hatred you may cast your blows,
And death inflict your stings,
But we have faith in God above,
And the Eagle spread his wings.
He flew on high up in the sky
And called to all who’d hear;
Unite with me in firm resolve,
We will not live in fear.
We will not rest, we will not cease,
And terror will not reign;
We vow to you now gone beyond
You did not die in vain.
The sun will rise, the sun will set,
And time will not abide;
But rest assured we will not forget
The day the Eagle cried.
Please see more photos of the day’s event below.
