<em>Photo above: The City of Beaufort Color guard “posts the colors” on Friday during the annual observance of the September 11th terrorist attack in New York City. From left are firefighters Ryan Goller, Josh Doud, Ross Vezin and Clint Holmes. </em>
<h3>By Bob Sofaly</h3>
On Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 19 Islamic terrorists flew hijacked jets into the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City and into the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. Finally, a fourth plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field after passengers fought back. In total, the attacks claimed the lives of 2,996 people (including the 19 hijackers) and caused at least an estimated $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage and $3 Trillion in total costs. It was the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and 72 killed respectively. The United States was held in terror the likes of which had not been experienced since the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

About 100 people came together for the annual 9/11 Observance on Friday at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to commemorate and pay tribute to those that died and those who tried to save them on that terrible day. Many relived the day as they talked with each other by recalling exactly where they were and what they were doing when the attacks came. “Never Forget.” No, we will never forget.

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<em>From left: Angela Chancay, left, sings God Bless America while Wade Brown accompanies her on his guitar; First Sgt. Chris Cushman, left, and Capt. Alfredo Givens play “echo Taps”at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park; Capt. J.A. “Woody” Woodall was the keynote speaker. Woodall was a firefighter from Raleigh, N.C. volunteering at “ground zero” in New York City. Woodall was helping to remove ruble that had buried nearly 2,000 to people in the infamous terrorist attack; Posting the memorial wreath are Rich Baker, Mark Siegel and Bob Pearson of the Military Officer’s Association of America; Members of the Patriot Guard Riders line parts of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park with American flags.</em>