The city of Oxford, led by its team of first responders, held a moment of remembrance on the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attack on America and of those who made the ultimate sacrifice on that tragic day. The special event was held at Freedom Park on the grounds of the Oxford Civic Center.
The Oxford Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors, and Tiffany Hamilton sang the National Anthem. Carla Jones, community paramedicine manager for Oxford Health Systems, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
“It’s amazing we all remember when that happened,” said Oxford Police Chaplain Dr. C.O. Grinstead. “What else could we do but stop and thank God for our country and thank God for people that willingly give of themselves.”
Mayor Alton Craft recalled a story about those who climbed the steps of the World Trade Center in an attempt to save lives.
“When everything was falling apart, there were first responders ascending into the building. They were not coming out of the building,” Craft said. “Many wondered what was going through people’s minds when the buildings collapsed. Of course, they were worried and scared, but one elderly gentleman said he was thinking, ‘Hope.’ They thought he was crazy. But he described how when the fireman who reached his floor, they gained hope.”
“That’s what they were thinking about,” Craft continued, “It was that somebody cared enough to risk their lives to come up there and save them. I want to thank all our first responders for every time you walk out that door and the sacrifice of you and your families.”
Oxford Fire Chief Gary Sparks said all three of the city’s public safety departments – police, fire, and health – continually work together to “keep Oxford safe.”
“On that day, there were 2,977 innocent lives lost,” Sparks said. “Among them were eight EMTs; 55 military personnel, including Maj. Dewayne Williams of Jacksonville; 60 police officers; and 343 firefighters. They all went to work that morning not knowing it would be their last day. The 343 is the largest loss of firefighter lives ever in our country. The 343 did their jobs. Each one is a hero as their actions helped to save lives that day. That’s why we honor those people and that number because it’s more than just a number.”
Sparks also remembered six local heroes – three Oxford Police officers and three Oxford firefighters – who gave their lives in the line of duty locally and are each memorialized by markers in Freedom Park.
Oxford Assistant Fire Chief Ben Stewart said the casualties from 9/11 continue as the long-term effects from the rescue efforts at Ground Zero continue to claim many of those called into service on that day.
Stewert then presided over the traditional “Ringing of the Bell,” which involves the ringing of a bell three times, repeated three times, symbolizing the end of firefighting duties. The bell ringing was historically used to signal the end of a fire call and is now used to honor a fallen firefighter.
Oxford City Council president and Oxford Fire Department chaplain, Rev. Chris Spurlin, closed with praise for all the first responders “we often take for granted,” and a prayer “to give those families of 9/11 peace and strength and give thanks for the service of these men and women that put their lives on the line each and every day.”
Earlier in the morning, members of the Oxford Fire Department decked out in full gear took part in a 911 Memorial Stair Climb at Lamar Field. They climbed the stairs 37 times, symbolizing the 110 flights first responders courageously faced in the Twin Towers.