Dwight McClure, member of American Legion Post 532 in Hayesville, works to hoist an American flag at Tri-County Community College's annual Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11, 2018.
In recognition of the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Tri-County Community College will hold its annual Patriot Day memorial ceremony on Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. in front of the McSwain Building flag pole on the main campus.
“This annual event allows us the opportunity to come together as a college and community to pause and reflect on those who lost their lives or were injured on Sept. 1, 2001, and appreciate the freedoms we all have in this country,” said Bo Gray, vice president for college and community initiatives.
The college held its first Patriot Day remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11, 2002, and it has been an annual event ever since, Gray said.
The ceremony will feature a display with a recovered piece of steel from the World Trade Center Twin Towers, which was presented to the college to memorialize and honor those who died in the attacks.
“This event is free and open to the public,” Gray said. “On behalf of President Dr. Donna Tipton-Rogers and our board of trustees members, we would also like to invite all local public safety personnel to attend our memorial ceremony.”
The most recent ceremony attracted more than 100 students, faculty, staff and community members to the main campus, where attendees watched members of the American Legion Post 532 hoist an American flag, before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the national anthem, and observing a moment of silence.
“Tri-County Community College trains and prepares public safety professionals and volunteers on an almost-daily basis, which is why we at the College can promise that we will never forget,” Gray said.
For more information regarding the Patriot Day memorial ceremony at Tri-County Community College, call 837-6810.