City of Milton recently issued the following announcement on September 10.
In a heartfelt ceremony under a picturesque sky -- just like that fateful morning -- Milton came together Friday outside Milton High School to remember the widespread, emotional and ongoing impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on people across the nation.
While no Milton High Eagles were born yet in 2001, they, school leaders and several families who've taken the lead as organizers have made a point to make sure memories from that day live on. And as much as anything, they've sought to commemorate the 2,977 people who passed in New York City, at the Pentagon in a Washington, and in a Pennsylvania field from the hijacking and crashing of four commercial airplanes.
To that point, several students Friday shared emotional stories of men and women who perished on September 11, 2001 -- exactly 20 years from this Saturday. Each started that day heading into work or boarding a flight with limitless futures and people who loved them. Then, in a few horrific moments, they were gone.
The City of Milton was honored, once more, for its firefighters and police officers to take part in the ceremony. Police Chief Rich Austin and Deputy Fire Chief Mark Stephens both spoke to the dozens on and outside Milton High's front steps about their experiences on 9-11 and how those continue to impact them. (This came two days after members of both departments participated in a special commemoration -- including a proclamation for September 11's 20th anniversary -- at a City Council meeting.) On Friday, several of Stephens and Austin's colleagues stood behind them and in front of Milton High's lawn lined with American flags -- one for every person who died that day.
Members of Milton High School's chorus and orchestra also performed at Friday's event, while a lone trumpeter played taps from atop the school's roof.
One of the most powerful speakers was Bill Riley, who talked about his late brother, Jim. Jim Riley was 25 and working in the World Trade Center's South Tower when he died.
But -- like the others lost on September 11, 2001 -- Jim Riley is not, and will not be, forgotten.
Original source can be found here.
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