MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- In recognition of the 5th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the Tri-Command community gathered at Pigeon Point Park in Beaufort Sept. 11.
The somber ceremony began with a welcome speech by Beaufort mayor, the Honorable Bill Raunch, and an invocation by Rev. Susan Ulmer, Carteret Street United Methodist Church. The ceremony also hosted a fly-over by pilots from Marine Corps Air Station's VMFA 533 and several guest speakers, including Beaufort firefighter Lt. Daniel Byrne and Terri Maude, widow of Army Lt. Gen. Timothy Maude, who lost his life in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon. The event was held in order to remember those who were lost during the attacks and those who fought and are still fighting to preserve freedom.
"We remember the date, that's why we're here," said Byrne during his speech. "But do we remember the day? There were bad emotions on [9-11] - pain, anger, sadness and fear. But there were some good things, too. For one day, [9-11] accomplished what no man, no nation has ever accomplished before - we were unified. There was peace because that is all we thought about that day. [Sept. 11, 2001] is the five-year anniversary of [9-11]. You remember the date, but do you remember the way you felt that day?"