Anyone wishing to pay respect to the men and women who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001 are invited to Jacksonville’s annual ceremony on Sunday.
AMVETS Post 100 member Jim Duncan says the 9/11 ceremony, taking place at the Downtown Square, has grown in popularity over the years.
“Something we started several years ago thanks to a young man who has been to Iraq twice. He asked if we have a day to remember 9/11. At that time we didn’t, so we started one and have been doing it ever since.”
Pastor John McCorkle will the lead ceremony in prayer, SFC Lewis Camerer will serve as officer of the day and Gulf War veteran Tyson Manker will give the keynote speech.
Duncan says the 9/11 ceremony is a way to remember all the first responders keeping Americans safe.
“The sacrifices our local hometown heroes like firefighters, police, paramedics and ambulance drivers go through things every day. The firemen go in there when everyone else runs out and when that lone policeman makes a traffic stop at 3 a.m. in the morning, who knows what he is she is going to get. It is very important to think about those people on a daily basis.” :
The ceremony starts at 1 p.m.