Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) – A memorial ceremony in Oak Hill on Friday marked a quarter century since the Sept. 11 attacks, bringing together community members, faith leaders and first responders at the Lewis Christian Community Center.
Fayette County Circuit Court Judge Sam Fox served as the honored speaker, reflecting on the importance of remembering the day and how the nation came together in its wake.
“We’ve got to tell the younger generation what happened not only on September 11th, but what happened on September 12th and September 13th,” Fox said. “The people who did pass away and the bad things that did happen will never be forgotten. And that’s what I’m fearful that we are forgetting.”
The crowd spanned generations, with many in attendance not yet born in 2001. Organizers said sharing the day’s meaning with younger community members was central to the event.
“You saw all ages. You saw all different walks of life here. You saw different churches … one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” said Bishop Sam Calloway, organizer of the Oak Hill 9/11 memorial ceremony.
The ceremony also honored the first responders who ran toward the towers, including those who lost their lives.
“Those people should be commended forever, because very few of us would actually take up the mantle and do what they did,” Fox said.
Fox said what stayed with him most came the day after the attacks, when American flags sold out and the nation stood unified. He said he hopes the country can find that sense of togetherness again.
“People don’t remember how unified we were as a country. Strangers were helping strangers. People were helping people they didn’t even know,” Fox said. “And it’d be nice to get back to that. It’d be nice to have a September 12th without having to go through September 11th again.”
