9/11 service reflects on day of tragedy, heroism

By Becky Long

Publisher

The anniversary of 9/11 was observed Thursday on a clear, sunny day in Clay County, much like the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists attacked the United States killing 2,976 people and injuring thousands more.

Sheriff Mark Buchanan was joined by officers, emergency personnel and others for a day of remembrance held on the 24th anniversary on the grounds of the sheriff’s office. 

“To all who were lost, all who fought, all who rose to the occasion beginning on that fateful day,” he said. “We here at the sheriff’s office are deeply honored to be able to host this event this morning.

“As horrible as that day was some 24 years ago, it was just the beginning,” Buchanan said. “The beginning of our war on terror that continues to this day. A generational war that highlights the great men and women of our military abroad, our first responders and the resolute determination of our citizenry here at home.”

Transitioning to a recent .tragedy, Buchanan reminded the crowd that we must find a way to peacefully live together.

“I would be remiss this morning not to mention the political assassination of Charlie Kirk. Regardless of our political views we have to come together as a nation to condemn such violence toward those we don’t agree with,” he said. “May God bless and watch over Kirk’s wife and two small children and all those who have suffered at the hands of evil.”

After prayer from Chaplain Carl Maxwell and Savannah May sang the National Anthem, Lt. Bruce Moore gave the keynote address.

“It’s been almost a quarter of a century since life for Americans changed course forever. Until 9:03 a.m. on 9/11 the world had never bared witness to an event so horrific as those which would unfold over the next 90 minutes,” he said.

A student at Western Carolina University at the time, Moore recalled the sequence of tragedies that day and how it led him to a career in law enforcement.

“At 9:03 a.m. I watched in disbelief as United Airlines Flight 175 struck the second tower. I still remember the gripping silence and shock we were all feeling,” he said.

“At 9:37 a.m. Flight 77 crashed into the western side of the Pentagon. Moments later U.S. airspace was shut down and all operating aircraft were ordered to land at the nearest airport. Evacuations of the Capitol building and the White House had begun. If whoever ‘they” was could hit the Pentagon, ‘they’ could hit anything,” continued Moore.

“At 9:59 a.m. the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. On television it looked like slow motion.

“10:02 a.m. Flight 93 came crashing down in a field in Somerset County, Penn,” he recalled.

“10:28, the world watched in real time as the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.”
“We received word stating all classes were canceled at WCU and we were told to go home,” Moore said. “When I got to my parent’s house, we watched replay after replay showing the planes crashing into the towers. “

Moore talked about the mass amount of news coverage and people on the ground telling their stories.

 “In all footage one thing was consistent. People would either scream or hold their hands over their mouths saying, ‘Oh God’ or ‘Oh my God.’ When the unthinkable happened, people called out to God without even knowing what they were doing,” he said.

Eventually the search and rescue became a recover mission. “Firefighters, paramedics, police officers, equipment operators and volunteers were shown working for months on end. They never quit!” Moore said.

“What was meant to tear America apart made it strong,” he said. “Patriotism was at an all-time high.”

The next year, Moore decided to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“I went through basic law enforcement training in 2002. At that time, it was almost impossible to go throughout your day without someone thanking you for your service or shaking your hand,” he said. “It gave a me sense of pride that I never did anything to earn. The gratitude implied toward every paramedic, police officer and every firefighter since that day is indebted to those first responders who answered the call on 9/11.”

Moore also alluded to the divisions in our nation today.

“When we feel tensions rising with our fellow citizens, we would all be wise to take a breath and remember that we’re on the same time. Never forget the Sept. 12 mindset when we were all so united. Looking to the future it is almost certain we will see hard days again. When those days come, remember what makes us Americans and what makes us different than the rest of the world will give us the strength to press on,” said Moore.

In 2025, we’ve had someone say on a national stage that it takes more than ‘thoughts and prayers’ to respond to a tragedy.  As a born-again Christian who has accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I can tell you, those voices could not be more wrong,” he said.

“May God bless the victims both surviving and dead, their families and the United States of America.”