STARKVILLE — People didn”t have to show to up to Fire Station One to pay tribute to the victims and emergency responders of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Starkville High School art students could have enjoyed a day the off instead of painting a memorial mural.
The 13 businesses that donated food, flowers and money to make the memorial event possible could have saved a few dollars and passed the duty to the next business.
But they didn”t.
They were honored to take part in the 9/11 memorial Sunday, which marked the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people.
For one Starkville firefighter, the honor helped restore a feeling that had tapered off.
Starkville native Aaron Cini has served with the Starkville Fire Department for nine years. As a member of the Army and Air Force, he served in Afghanistan in 2005 and returned home in March after a seven-month deployment.
War, Cini said, is now a part of American culture. And as a result, the country”s outpour of appreciation for servicemen and first responders reflects the normalcy of being at war.
“Someone leaves, someone comes back,” Cini said. “We”re out of Iraq; we”re not seeing as many combat missions. But we”re used to being over there. While people haven”t forgotten, a lot of that same passion about the war and those who serve isn”t there anymore.”
Sunday, Cini was reminded of how grateful his community is.
The memorial, held at the fire station courtyard, began with a welcome by Mississippi State University Provost Dr. Jerry Gilbert, followed by the presentation of flags by the Starkville High School JROTC. Starkville residents Stefanie Ashford-Shackelford sang the national anthem, while Mary Kate Hughes sang “God Bless America.”
The memorial also featured a rhythmic gymnastic-style dance with the American flag by Charlotte Leonard.
“It”s special to see everyone come out and to know a lot of people had a huge part of this,” Cini said. “I applaud everyone”s efforts to make this happen.”
Starkville Police Officers, Oktibbeha County Sheriff”s Deputies and members of the Starkville Fire Department attended the memorial, which was organized by Volunteer Starkville and Maroon Volunteer Center.
Retired Command Sgt. Major Billy D. Houston teaches JROTC at Starkville High. He”s a veteran of the Vietnam War and Gulf Storm and served in seven different combat zones.
“(I) jumped out of airplanes for 24 years and had a lot of fun,” Houston said.
Sunday”s memorial reminded Houston of the contrasts in the public”s opinion of war since he first entered the military in the late 1960s.
“Back then, they told us not to where our uniform when we traveled,” Houston said. “Our efforts in Vietnam were not appreciated by people back home. It was tough to accept.
“(Recently) I sat in the Atlanta airport and watched the servicemen come in. People still stand and applaud them when they walk in. It”s just so much different. Our country has held strong.”
Shortly closing remarks and when everyone finished their barbecue plates, a call to respond to a fire alarm came over the station intercom, sending a half-dozen firefighters who were on duty racing for their suits. The American flag that was mounted on top of the fire truck parked next to the courtyard was removed and within minutes the truck was cruising down University Drive.
While the call turned out to be a false alarm, it was a fitting end to the 9/11 memorial service.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
