Memorials honor 9/11 sacrifices

Barnwell County remembered the lives lost 21 years ago during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

From a flag display in downtown Barnwell to a firefighter parade in Blackville, the community is remembering the sacrifices made by so many people on September 11, 2001.

Blackville Memorial

The Blackville Fire Department Auxiliary and Blackville Fire Department hosted the inaugural 9/11 Memorial event on Saturday, Sept. 10 in the picnic shelter behind Blackville First Baptist Church. The event honored the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including the 343 firefighters who perished.

“That was an amazing sacrifice. They sacrificed their lives so others can live,” said Blackville Mayor Ronnie Pernell, the guest speaker. “It takes courage in the face of fear to carry out their duties, that’s what men and women did on 9/11 and that’s what men and women do on a daily basis.”

That sacrifice exemplifies why firefighters and other first responders are unselfish individuals, said the mayor.

“Unselfishness requires no thoughts for yourself. That’s what it takes to be a servant, to be a fireman. It brings real joy,” said Pernell.

Mayor Pernell said he’s tried to focus his life on service, including as a minister, former police officer and firefighter, military veteran who served as an infantry officer in Desert Storm, and now as mayor.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for firefighters in that position. We need to do this year after year to make sure we remember the sacrifices people make on a daily basis,” said Pernell.

Assistant Blackville Fire Chief Dylan Weaver helped organize the event alongside Renee Chupp from the auxiliary. They organized the event as a fundraiser for the department and as a way to help the community remember the sacrifices of the nearly 3,000 people who died 21 years ago.

“I was 10 years old at the time and remember plain as day the events of that day. I feel the younger ones need to know what happened. A lot of people died trying to help others,” said Weaver.

After the ceremony, everyone moved to the front lawn of the church for a firefighter parade. More than a dozen fire trucks and vehicles from several Barnwell County fire departments participated in the parade.

The department also sold chicken plates and dessert to raise money for the fire department and auxiliary.

“I hope in the years to come it will grow,” said Weaver of making this an annual event.

Barnwell Memorial

Each flag placed in Calhoun Park represented an individual who lost their life on September 11, 2001.

This is the second year community members joined together to bring this memorial to Barnwell. It remained in the park until September 12.

“I went through and put names on every single flag,” said citizen Barbara Christian.

Christian formed an informal committee last year, and on that committee among others was Bruce Herrlin of Carolina Hills Farm Animal Refuge.

“He was a big help with laying out everything,” said Christian, of Herrlin’s construction background.

Christian felt drawn to establish this memorial in Barnwell to honor the nearly 3,000 deaths.

Represented at the second annual 9/11 Memorial at Calhoun Park:

• Flight 11

• Flight 77

• Flight 93

• Pentagon

• World Trade Center 1

• World Trade Center 2

• Firefighter/EMS

• Law enforcement including one canine officer, Sirius

Last year, Christian held an event on 9/11 alongside the memorial with fire department, police, and military presence.

“My brother was there, before he passed away. He was in Dioceses of the Deep which is a submarine group out of Aiken,” said Christian. “At the ceremony I had them each standing guard over each different spot,” of flags.

The flag flying on the balcony of the Barnwell County Courthouse is in conjunction with this memorial.