Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Residents remember Sept. 11, 2001

Tragedy strikes in America taking everyone by surprise.

September 11, 2001, will stick in everyone's minds for year's to come.

Until that point the biggest tragedy seen on American soil was the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Sixty-eight civilians were killed at Pearl Harbor with more than two thousand military men dying while trying to defend our country and preserve our freedom.

The attacks on September 11 left more than 6,000 Americans dead. Many of their bodies were never recovered from the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center in New York City.

Families were broken in to; left without a mother or father, aunts and uncles. For days on end people prayed their loved ones would be found.

Congressman Mike Ross was in Washington, D.C., when one of the hijacked planes flew into the Pentagon. Ross said he was in his office when the Chief of Staff ran in and turned the television to C-Span.

Ross reported watching the attacks on the television and being able to see the smoke rise from the Pentagon after one of the hijacked planes plowed into it.

On that Tuesday evening Ross reported members of Congress meeting on Capitol steps for a press conference. Congress wanted the worlds to know the United States would not run from madmen or mass murderers.

Ross said, "It was important for Congress to demonstrate it wasn't afraid of terrorists and to stand together united as Americans, regardless of what political party."

Ross reported, after the press conference, members of Congress sang "God Bless America."

Ross said, "It was spontaneous. Nobody had planned it."

While military forces were preparing for whatever was about to come next and rescue workers did all they could to save as many lives as they could, people across America band together to hold prayer vigils, gather emergency goods for those in need and raise money for the families whose lives had been torn apart.

American flags were popular again with Wal-Mart stores reported selling more than 120,000 flags on Wednesday after the attacks. By the end of the week Wal-Mart and K-Mart had sold a combined 500,000 flags.

Gurdon High School students held a special prayer around the flag pole at school and recognized a moment of silence for the ones who lost their lives and loved ones.

Senior Eddie Fort spoke to the students about the tragic event and gave his feeling about the tragedy. A prayer was said and then the students sang several patriotic songs.

Gurdon Sonic manager, Mary Smith, wanted to help the people in New York as much as possible. Mary said she felt Gurdon could contribute something even if it wasn't a lot. Smith decided to hold a "United We Stand Rally" at the Sonic Drive-in in Gurdon.

She gave away free drinks to the volunteers helping raise money and free drinks to those generous enough to donate.

Members of the Gurdon Fire Department and Gurdon Ambulance Service stood in the middle of Main Street taking donations from citizens. By 2 p.m. Gurdon had raised $1,240. Some of the money donated came from the Sonic car hops who chose to give their tips to the cause.

One year later the rubble has been removed and plans for new buildings are already underway. Airport security has been heightened and America is still on full alert. Patriotism is still big with American flags still flying in places they hadn't seen them in a long time and praying in public and in groups took a whole new turn.

However, it is a day that will stick in everyone's mind, it is a day of remembrance and a day to be thankful for the freedoms Americans have one year later.