FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Folks in the Pee Dee gathered Saturday morning to remember the victims of the 9/11 attacks on the eve of the 15th anniversary of that day.
It’s been a decade and a half since millions of Americans–all of us–went to sleep unaware of the terror that awaited the next morning. But Saturday’s events made it clear that day is still being felt so many years later.
They came from near and far–in motorcycles, police cars, and fire trucks–even helicopters. One thing was the same everywhere though: the sight of red, white, and blue. As the Patriot Ride weaved its way through Florence to Veterans Park, it became even clearer just how strongly many still feel about what they saw that day. Wayne Kenney remembers that day very clearly.
“I was working in the VA hospital in Philadelphia,” Kenney reflects. “We watched it all happen on TV.”
He said even though the tragedy devastated so many families, he was proud of how the country reacted.
“I was very impressed by the patriotism and how everyone came together behind what happened.”
Riders eventually made their way into the par to remember and to pray for America. Taps played as leaders laid a wreath at the city’s September 11th Memorial. A piece of the Pentagon serves as a reminder of the realities of that day. A reminder that Sheriff Kenney Boone said we could all use.
“It’s just remembering and honoring those who have gone before us,” he said.
He is glad the events of that September morning have in the end brought communities across the country together.
“I appreciate the community’s support for all emergency personnel and our military,” Boone said. “It means a lot to me personally.”