TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) — The Exchange Club of Tifton presented its Patriots Day Program on Friday at the Tifton Fire Department, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The ceremony was held beside the “Field of Flags,” a display of 2,977 American flags placed in the ground next to the fire department from Sept. 9-12. Each flag represents a life lost during the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the country.

The Exchange Club of Tifton had help from firefighters, Excel students, teachers, children, and other community members to place the flags.

Community remembrance

Jonathan Mayberry, an Exchange Club of Tifton member, community member, veteran, and father, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony.

“This program is an amazing remembrance to 9-11 for those lives that were lost and remembering those who served on that day and those who continue to serve,” Mayberry said. “This is a great honor to be here and to be able to recognize in a way so we can bring the community together, get them involved, and be able to remember what this day is really about and to honestly never forget.”

Mayberry also spoke about the significance of Sept. 12, 2001.

“9-12 was a pivotal moment for America because, yes, 9-11, there was service and people responded, but also on September the 12th, people came together even more as community, as Americans, and we all joined arms to serve one another,” Mayberry said. “We cannot forget, yes, September 11th was the terrible cause of hatred, but September 12th showed us how America could come together for one another and continue to carry the service. And still today, with this ceremony, is how we do that and remember and ensure that everybody keeps that front and center.”

Ceremony details

The Tifton community gathered for the event. Songs were sung, prayers were said, and attendees shared a moment of silence.

The Exchange Club of Tifton has said it will never forget civilians and first responders who lost their lives on 9/11.

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