Published: September 10, 2008 10:08 pm         

Emergency responders, citizens prepare to remember Sept. 11

Seven years ago today, thousands of Americans lost their lives on their own country’s soil.

They may have been a husband or wife, family member, friend — or a total stranger. Nevertheless, people across the country, including those in the Beckley area, will pause to ensure that horrifying 2001 day and the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives will never be forgotten.

The seventh annual Parade of Lights is scheduled to begin between 7:30 and 8 p.m. at the Lester Square Food Lion in Sophia, according to co-coordinators Ryan Bragg, chief of the Coal City Volunteer Fire Department, and Connie Hall, owner of Best Ambulance. The silent memorial parade of fire engines, police cruisers and ambulances will go north on Robert C. Byrd Drive and end at Crossroads Mall.

This parade is a tribute to all emergency responders who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

After the parade, speakers will read special prayers written for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical service workers and emergency dispatchers, Hall said.

The Parade of Lights continues to grow in size, Hall said. Last year, more than 50 vehicles from both inside and outside the Beckley vicinity were in the parade, and although she did not have a final count available Wednesday afternoon, Hall expected more this year.

She also encouraged all citizens to line the parade route and gather at the mall.

“Hundreds of people lost their lives doing their jobs,” she said. “It’s appropriate that people show respect to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

“It’s an unreal sight to behold — all the trucks with their lights. We hope the public will come out. It will be held, rain or shine. We look forward to it. We want to show the world we haven’t forgotten.”

At last year’s service, Hall said, a woman who lost a family member in the World Trade Center collapse hugged her, thanking the organizers for what they put together.

Beckley Fire Chief Kevin Taylor said the city’s department will participate in the parade as well. Emergency responders — whether they work in West Virginia or New York — are all vital parts of the nation’s security.

“Oftentimes, complacency sets in,” he said. “You get a false sense of security. Memories begin to fade with each passing year. But this is a date in our nation’s history that should continue to be remembered — whether you serve the public or you are a member of the public being served.

“The first anniversary, our honor guard couldn’t be in enough places at once. That has since dissipated. But this is still one of the few that has stood the test of time.”

Both Mountain State University and the Academy at MSU will also conduct memorial services today.

At 8:46 a.m. — the time the first World Trade Center tower was struck — MSU will begin a brief memorial service at the Lewin Family Bell Tower. Dr. Phil Smith, MSU ethics adviser and First Baptist Church pastor, will speak and lead a prayer.

The service will end at 9:03 a.m. — the time the second tower was hit. It will begin and end with the Lewin tower’s bells chiming.

At 10:20 a.m., students, faculty, parents and staff at the academy will meet around the school flag pole. Mandy Wriston, the school’s assistant dean, noted sixth- and seventh-grade students were so young when the attacks happened that they often have no idea why the date is historically significant.

Students will participate in such activities as discussing tolerance and what it means to help them understand what happened and remember those who were lost, Wriston said. Parents and faculty will lead the gathering in prayer.

The service will take place in the Van Meter Gymnasium if it rains, Wriston said.

— E-mail: apridemore

@register-herald.com