Sumter will hold memorial service for 20th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks

Twenty years ago, mayhem stepped onto the United States' doorstep. Lives were lost, sacrifices were made, and the phrase "never forget" has been burned into Americans' minds ever since.

The City of Sumter, Sumter County Government and Shaw Air Force Base will host a joint 20th anniversary ceremony to commemorate 9/11 on Saturday.

"The 20-year anniversary of 9/11 is a great time to show tribute to the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice in order to save others," said Brian Christmas, assistant fire chief for the Sumter Fire Department. "What they gave that day was not only their lives, but from that day forward, their families have had to experience the absence of their loved ones. It is only fitting that we pay tribute to those that have gone before us to pave the way for fighting the war on terrorism."

The event will take place at 9:11 a.m. in front of the City of Sumter's Public Safety campus, 315 N. Lafayette Drive.

Fire Division Chief Joey Duggan will serve as the master of ceremonies, and guest speakers will be Col. Lawrence Sullivan, commander of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base; Sumter County Council Chairman Jim McCain; and City of Sumter Mayor David Merchant.

"I do hope the public attends," Merchant said. "Our motto is 'uncommon patriotism' in Sumter. This is a way to honor those patriots and those first responders that helped out on 9/11 20 years ago and those who made the ultimate sacrifice … but also to recognize and show support and appreciation for our current first responders, local and national. We do appreciate those who keep us safe from fire and crimes here in Sumter."

The ceremony will feature an F-16 flyover by McEntire Joint National Guard Base, the Sumter Law Enforcement Ensemble, a last alarm service, a joint honor guard between Sumter and Shaw and more.

Parking will be limited in the immediate area of the ceremony, so the City of Sumter will have golf cart shuttles to transport attendees to and from the two parking lots across Calhoun Street to the ceremony location.

For more information, contact Brian Christmas at the Sumter Fire Department, (803) 436-2600.