By Donna Thornton/News Editor
The victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were remembered and the service of local first responders was honored in several ceremonies in the Gadsden area on the 11th anniversary of the attacks.
The Gadsden Beautification Board brought representatives of the Gadsden Police and Fire Departments, the Etowah County Sheriff’s Department and the Alabama National Guard together for music from the Gadsden State Community College Choir and the playing of taps by two Gadsden City High School Band members, as doves were released at the park at Fourth and Broad streets.
Members of the Gadsden Composite Squadron of the Gadsden Civil Air Patrol cadet program performed color guard duty at a memorial at Riverview Regional Medical Center, and at McGuffey Healthcare Center. At McGuffey, Civil Air Patrol Maj. Talmadge Butler talked to residents about the role the CAP played just after the attacks. On Sept. 12, CAP pilots flew to obtain the first aerial photos of Ground Zero and other attack sites, just as the CAP provides aerial photos after many natural disasters.
Police and fire department representatives, National Guard representatives, and Joy Ballenger, the executive director of the local American Red Cross chapter attended the memorial service at McGuffey’s on Sept. 11.