By Andrew Edwards

Staff Writer

Officers in Millbrook Police Department, community members, and those a part of American Legion Post 133 gathered inside post 133 on Saturday afternoon to honor those lost on 9/11/2001, the tragic event that happened 20 years ago today.

A 20 second moment of silence was observed to remember the 2,977 people who’s lives where lost that day. Of those lost, 343 were members of the fire department and 60 of the police department.

Chief PK Johnson, along with members of the honor guard were scheduled to hold a flag folding ceremony. Johnson explained that covid issues forced them to cancel the ceremony, citing that he “would have wanted them to do it the right way.”

However, Johnson was able to speak in front of a crowd, inside of Post 133. He told the story of where he was, and what he was doing on that tragic day. He also explained the importance of educating the younger generation on the events that happened that day, calling for unity in the process.

“I couldn’t believe that we were living in a world where someone would attack us in our own county – and that’s what we all saw that day,” Johnson said. “We’re a generation away from people not knowing what happened that day, even though we might be able to recall it like it was yesterday. When we watch what’s going on it the world today, I think this county has forgot about what happened on that day. We’re more divided as a nation as we’ve ever been. It’s incumbent upon us to remind ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren, to never let us as nation forget what happened that day.”

After Johnson spoke, the crowd closed in a moment of prayer followed by lunch for those who attended.