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Portland pays honor to 9-11 victims




Mayor Mike Callis speaks at the 9/11 Ceremony held at the North Fire Hall. SUBMITTED

Mayor Mike Callis speaks at the 9/11 Ceremony held at the North Fire Hall. SUBMITTED

The Portland Chamber of Commerce, along with the City recently presented a 9-11 Ceremony to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attack, which resulted in 2,977 deaths. The ceremony was held at the North Fire Hall.

Ministers from area churches participated in the service offering thoughts and prayers during the ceremony, which opened with the playing of the National Anthem and an opening prayer by Bro. Larry Treadway of Portland General Baptist Church. Rep. William Lamberth led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mayor Mike Callis was a speaker for the event.

“We are a part of the human race and the desire to help others doesn’t need a check list,” Callis said. “A country divided is easily defeated.”

He ended his address by thanking those who suit up every day to lay down their lives for others.

Police Chief Jason Williams spoke to the number who died on 9-11, saying that of the 2,977 deaths, 341 were firemen, 15 were emergency medical technicians and paramedics and 60 were policemen.

Mayor Mike Callis and Fire Chief Sam Thornton present retiring Fire Chief Al West with his fire helmet and a plaque with a commemorative ax recognizing his 42 years of service to the Portland Fire Department. SUBMITTED

Mayor Mike Callis and Fire Chief Sam Thornton present retiring Fire Chief Al West with his fire helmet and a plaque with a commemorative ax recognizing his 42 years of service to the Portland Fire Department. SUBMITTED

“These numbers were people who left husbands, wives, children and grandchildren,” Williams said. “People who had their hopes and dreams dashed in one day’s time.”

Williams named the Portland firemen and policemen present and said anyone of them would have done the same thing.

“I have no doubt that our first responders would have reacted the same way to give their lives to save those they didn’t know,” he said.

Williams also took the opportunity to recognize the retirement of Fire Chief Al West for his 19 years as police chief. He presented him a plaque from the police department. West responded that he was blessed to serve the citizens of Portland.

Newly appointed Fire Chief Sam Thornton addressed how the local firemen reacted to the news of 9-11 stating that he had just arrived at the fire hall and was beginning his daily routine. While the firemen wanted to be glued to the TV, they knew they had a job to do and they did it.

Thornton described West as being steady, a rock, a leader, and a mentor to him. He recognized that he had large shoes to fill as he becomes fire chief. Thornton and Callis presented West with his helmet and a plaque with a commemorative ax attached to honor his 42 years of service to the city of Portland.

“I’m so blessed to be a part of a profession that saves lives and protects property.” West said.

He read The Ringing of the Bell which tells the story of the meaning for firemen of the ringing of the bell. His reading was followed with the ringing of a bell by Captain Isaac Reynolds to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony ended with Camden Roberts playing Taps.

President and CEO of Portland Chamber of Commerce Sherri Ferguson said, “It gives me great pride to see our community come together and remember this day. May we often pause and appreciate the sacrifice of our first responders and service men and women. I would like to see this to become a tradition.”

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