To commemorate that tragedy and honor this nation’s heroes, the two service groups set up a ceremony.  On Sunday, the ceremony was held at Fire Station One as a tribute to all those in the community who serve the nation on a daily basis.  Shad Benn, student volunteer coordinator at the MVC, talked specifically about to those civic servants.
“We want to honor police officers, firefighters and men and women in the armed services,” Benn said.
The ceremony kicked off at 2 p.m., with an audience of community and campus members who wanted to come show their support.  For about half an hour, those who were in attendance had the opportunity to take part in some very patriotic activities.
It began with a welcoming occasion from Jerry Gilbreath.  He, along with the other speakers at the ceremony, pointed out the good that has also come from the day’s heartbreak. 
“Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, much good has come from this tragedy,” Gilbreath said.  “An emotion of national pride spread across our country.”
He also spoke to the audience about the new meaning this day has for Americans. 
“Sept. 11 is now federally recognized as a day of remembrance and service,” Gilbreath said.
Gilbreath’s speech was followed by a presentation of the flag and singing of the national anthem by Volunteer Starkville’s own director, Stefanie Shackelford.  Pastor Timothy Bourne gave a prayer of comfort for families who had lost loved ones and of thanks and protection for the servicemen in the nation.  He requested a moment of silence, and Mary Kate Hughes sang “God Bless America.”
Mayor Parker Wiseman came out to present a 9/11 Proclamation. He charged the citizens with a call to action.
“As a tribute, we will observe and call upon all our citizens to participate on this day of service,” Wiseman said.
Next, Charlotte Leonard performed a routine with the American flag to music as a special tribute.  She was followed by Fire Chief Rodger Mann, who gave his remarks on what the day meant to him and to all firefighters.
“Those men and women are giving the ultimate prize for what they do,” Mann said.  “Even though that day was horrible, it has forevermore bonded the emergency services.”
During the entire ceremony, a group of students from Starkville High School were painting a mural in honor of that day. SHS senior George Bennett, who was one of the artists, said working on the mural generated a lot of emotion from him and his fellow students.
“It really impacted us once we started doing research on how to make everything look,” Bennett said. 
He said a lot of thought went into every aspect of the painting, from the colors to the style of art.
“The surrounding buildings have a red tint because the tragedy impacted everyone around, and Lady Liberty is painted yellow because she’s a beacon of hope,” Bennett said.  “We also tried to use kind of a pop-art style because that’s so strongly American.”
After the ceremony, Shackelford said she thought everything had turned out nicely, and she is looking forward to planning it again.
“I hope to gain some more support and put out more advertisement for next year,” Shackelford said. “This is something I’d like to continue.”
Lieutenant firefighter Brian Arnett said he believed the memorial service was a really good thing for anyone to attend because it helps people to remember. 
“Still a lot of firefighters have died since that day,” said Arnett.  “People forget about the fact that those people stayed out there for months and a lot have died just as a result of being there.”
After the ceremony, Arnett and several of his fellow firefighters traveled over to Davis Wade Stadium to climb 110 stairs while wearing their gear in honor of all of the firefighters who have died since that day.To commemorate that tragedy and honor this nation’s heroes, the two service groups set up a ceremony.  On Sunday, the ceremony was held at Fire Station One as a tribute to all those in the community who serve the nation on a daily basis.  Shad Benn, student volunteer coordinator at the MVC, talked specifically about to those civic servants.
“We want to honor police officers, firefighters and men and women in the armed services,” Benn said.
The ceremony kicked off at 2 p.m., with an audience of community and campus members who wanted to come show their support.  For about half an hour, those who were in attendance had the opportunity to take part in some very patriotic activities.
It began with a welcoming occasion from Jerry Gilbreath.  He, along with the other speakers at the ceremony, pointed out the good that has also come from the day’s heartbreak. 
“Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, much good has come from this tragedy,” Gilbreath said.  “An emotion of national pride spread across our country.”
He also spoke to the audience about the new meaning this day has for Americans. 
“Sept. 11 is now federally recognized as a day of remembrance and service,” Gilbreath said.
Gilbreath’s speech was followed by a presentation of the flag and singing of the national anthem by Volunteer Starkville’s own director, Stefanie Shackelford.  Pastor Timothy Bourne gave a prayer of comfort for families who had lost loved ones and of thanks and protection for the servicemen in the nation.  He requested a moment of silence, and Mary Kate Hughes sang “God Bless America.”
Mayor Parker Wiseman came out to present a 9/11 Proclamation. He charged the citizens with a call to action.
“As a tribute, we will observe and call upon all our citizens to participate on this day of service,” Wiseman said.
Next, Charlotte Leonard performed a routine with the American flag to music as a special tribute.  She was followed by Fire Chief Rodger Mann, who gave his remarks on what the day meant to him and to all firefighters.
“Those men and women are giving the ultimate prize for what they do,” Mann said.  “Even though that day was horrible, it has forevermore bonded the emergency services.”
During the entire ceremony, a group of students from Starkville High School were painting a mural in honor of that day. SHS senior George Bennett, who was one of the artists, said working on the mural generated a lot of emotion from him and his fellow students.
“It really impacted us once we started doing research on how to make everything look,” Bennett said. 
He said a lot of thought went into every aspect of the painting, from the colors to the style of art.
“The surrounding buildings have a red tint because the tragedy impacted everyone around, and Lady Liberty is painted yellow because she’s a beacon of hope,” Bennett said.  “We also tried to use kind of a pop-art style because that’s so strongly American.”
After the ceremony, Shackelford said she thought everything had turned out nicely, and she is looking forward to planning it again.
“I hope to gain some more support and put out more advertisement for next year,” Shackelford said. “This is something I’d like to continue.”
Lieutenant firefighter Brian Arnett said he believed the memorial service was a really good thing for anyone to attend because it helps people to remember. 
“Still a lot of firefighters have died since that day,” said Arnett.  “People forget about the fact that those people stayed out there for months and a lot have died just as a result of being there.”
After the ceremony, Arnett and several of his fellow firefighters traveled over to Davis Wade Stadium to climb 110 stairs while wearing their gear in honor of all of the firefighters who have died since that day.