Hundreds gather for Patriot Day March
Twenty-three years may have passed since the terror attacks on U.S. soil of 9/11, but for many, the memories and pain are still palpable.
At the 9/11 Memorial March & Patriot Day Program held Sept. 11, hundreds massed in downtown Taylor to remember the thousands of first responders and civilians who lost their lives during the surprise airline crashes into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001. A third attempt was thwarted by passengers who commandeered and downed a hijacked passenger plane over Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
“We pray for the many, many, many who still suffer from the deep heartache of that tragic day,” said Mark McAdams, the chief of Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 6 in Weir. “Lord Father may we never forget.”
This solemn remembrance, sponsored by the Taylor Fire Department, has been held every year in Taylor since 2002 and includes a memorial march of first responders from across the county and state down Seventh and Main Streets to Heritage Square, where a patriotic ceremony with guest speakers, music, a flag raising, a three-volley salute from the Taylor Police Department, and more, was held.
“As a young kid, you grow up wanting to be a firefighter or a policeman, but you never think about what dangers they put themselves into,” said Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola during his welcome address. “On 9/11, 2001, they were running up those stairs while the citizens were running down and worried about their lives. Those first responders were worried about saving people’s lives. I will never walk by a first responder or a person in uniform ever again without thanking them. And I hope you would do the same.”
Ariola also recognized the dozens of firefighters in attendance who had just learned to perform ceremonies and other etiquette at the funerals of fallen comrades through a week-long Honor Guard Academy sponsored each year by the Taylor Fire Department and the Taylor Professional Firefighter Association.
This year’s event also featured a performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” by Renvie Crain, a bagpipe performance of “Amazing Grace” by Lori Waters, as well as a rendition of 'Taps' by Macaela Russell from the Bartlett Bulldog Band.
With the rumble of firetrucks in the background, the Perez family was one of dozens who had set up camping chairs this year in the shade along Main Street, near a giant American flag waving in the wind that was held between the ladders of the Taylor and Georgetown fire departments.
“We come just to take time out of our daily life just to remember all the lives that were lost and all the bravery,” said Phillip Perez, who has faithfully attended the march every year with family since the tragedy occurred.
Perez’s wife, Ursula Perez, has a firstresponder cousin who was sent to the World Trade Center immediately after two hijacked planes hit the Twin Towers, as part of a coordinated terrorist attack on landmarks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
“It definitely is something he will never forget,” said Ursula of her cousin, an Austin firefighter who was part of the Texas A&M Task Force 1, which spent 10 days at Ground Zero. “It’s hard to talk about ... I was pregnant with our daughter when it happened. (There were) three thousand lives lost for no reason.”
Son Isaac Perez, 16, who has attended every year of his life, said he doesn’t understand the apathy he sees among some members of his own generation.
“We were talking about it today in U.S. history class,” Perez said. “And not many people were interested. It kind of hurt my heart to know that not many people cared.”
Also in attendance was W.C. Frymire, who has been a volunteer with ESD No. 6 Fire Department for nearly three decades and has participated in the event yearly.
“I remember where I was when the towers went down,” Frymire said. “And this is just my way of remembering all of the men and women, boys and girls and infants that didn’t make it.”
