Where were you when the world stopped turning that terrible September day 24 years ago? Locals of all ages will ponder that question during the annual 9/11 ceremony taking place at the Union County Fine Arts Center on Patriot Day, that is, on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 8 a.m.
Uniquely, Union County has historically involved its younger generations in memorializing one of the greatest American tragedies in the modern era. Union County High School students are encouraged to attend, and some even take part in the ceremony via band and chorus.
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In addition to education, the secondary angle is one of greater community involvement, as the more people who understand the gravity of the 2001 terror attacks – 2,977 innocent people murdered by radical Islamic extremists – the less likely that day is to lapse out of memory.
By attending, the community can help to ensure the thousands of lives lost on 9/11 and in its aftermath will be commemorated for another year running, and in doing so, similar horrors may be prevented as the nation makes good on its promise to “Never Forget.”
“We include the school because we want to make sure that the students know the significance of 9/11,” explained Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce President Steve Rowe, who has collaborated with the school system to organize the ceremony for years now.
Despite students being part of the target audience, everyone is invited to attend. Those who were alive to remember the national trauma will have a space to reflect and remember not just what it means to be American, but what it means to be a human with an empathetic heart.
Along with music and prayer, a keynote speaker will provide some thoughtful words as part of the observance. Dr. Michael Shannon, President of the University of North Georgia – The Military College of Georgia, will serve in that role for 2025.
A retired U.S. Army lieutenant with 20 years of service, Shannon’s leadership has seen the college’s enrollment grow by 6.7%. He has helped make possible new options for four-year degrees, overseen international affairs, and guided the creation of the Institute for Peak Performance and the Leadership Foundry.
Having once been told he would never attend a university, Shannon is a first-generation college graduate who works to make his own dream a reality for students who may not otherwise get the chance to attend higher education.
Rowe said that while the gathering may be brief, each year, it stands out as one of Union County’s most solemn but necessary events. And by showcasing engagement with younger generations, the ceremony teaches history and instills a sense of respect in one’s country and neighbors.
