Cherokee County remembers 9/11

County residents are invited to mark the 25th anniversary and reflect on the lives lost during the 2001 terrorist attacks during a special memorial ceremony planned for 8:40 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, on the Cherokee County Courthouse lawn near the fallen officer’s monument in downtown Rusk. The time of the event marks the time the first plane hit the first World Trade Center tower. 

Local pastors Keith Hassell will do the opening prayer and Ron Luce the closing prayer.

Brian Eidenbart will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and sing. 

Resident Kelli Dover will announce the times of the impact of the other plane which crashed into the second tower, the plane which crashed into the Pentagon and the plane which was prevented from reaching its target by the heroic actions of the passengers. After the reading of each place name there followed by a moment of silence. Ashley Weigman will play Taps in a fitting tribute to all the lives lost that day.

Additionally, music will be offered by Cathy and Jonny Smith, along with Rodney McDuff and son. Guest speakers include Rusk Police Chief Preston Green Jr., Rusk City Councilman Chucky Pate, EMS Regional Director Hayden Ray, local veteran Justin Laurent and Ground Zero volunteer Virginia Goforth.