Service to honor Sept. 11 victims

Columbia County will again memorialize the events of Sept. 11, 2001, with a Patriot Day service on Tuesday in Evans.

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The ceremony, which will begin at 8:30 a.m., will honor the nearly 3,000 people who died six years ago in the terrorist attacks, including hundreds of police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

The ceremony will take place at the flagpole in Norwood Freedom Plaza in front of the Columbia County Justice Center.

County officials, including Commission Chairman Ron Cross, will speak.

The memorial also will feature a moment of silence, the ringing of a bell and a bagpipe performance to honor lost firefighters.

"It is just a somber time to take a minute and remember that day and hopefully everybody will lower their flags to half-staff," said Pam Tucker, Columbia County's emergency services director.

In honor of Patriot Day, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Terence Cardinal Cooke Council also are inviting local first responders to a "Blue" Mass today to recognize those who protect and serve the community.

The Mass is open to the public and will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church, 4921 Columbia Road near Grovetown.

Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, Emergency Management Agency personnel and 911 dispatch center are invited to attend and encouraged to wear their uniforms, said Pietro J. De'Guerrero, a church coordinator for the Knight of Columbus and a fourth degree Knight.

"They are the first to respond and the last to get any recognition," DeGuerrero said. "So we want to take that day and dedicate solely to those folks and honor them for their service."

First responders and their families will be provided reserved seating and some will participate in the service.