Gazette Leader Coverage of 9/11/24 Remembrance Ceremony

9/11 ceremony notes impact on Great Falls, resilience of residents

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Six residents from community died in 2001 terrorist attacks

More than 160 members of the Great Falls community and surrounding areas turned out for the annual commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The event and vigil was held at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial.

“I was one of the lucky ones,” said retired U.S. Navy Adm. Lou Crenshaw, who was in the Pentagon when it was struck by a hijacked airliner.

Others, he noted, were not so fortunate, including six Great Falls residents who were in the hijacked plans that day: Ann Judge, Lisa Rains, George and Diane Simmons, Barbara Olson and U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Richard Gabriel.

“They are all heroes in my book,” Crenshaw said, urging attendees to be prepared for challenges and “develop a mindset to help others by doing things that put other people first.”

“When you see or are involved in the next crisis, or emergency, or difficult situation – turn toward it,” he said. “Because you have discarded the ‘me-too’ attitude, you have the tools to deal with the problem and you remember the footprints left in the sand by Ann, Lisa, George, Diane, Barbara and Richard. That’s the most fitting way to honor them.”

Among those participating in the event were members of Boy Scout Troop 55 (color guard), Erin Gantt (leading the National Anthem) and Jonathan Torres (presenting Taps). Great Falls Freedom Memorial board president Andy Wilson welcomed dignitaries.

https://www.gazetteleader.com/fairfax/news/911-ceremony-notes-impact-on-great-falls-resilience-of-residents-9515987

Veterans Day Ceremony 2022 Recap

The 2022 Veterans Day Ceremony honored veterans from Great Falls and all who have served in the Armed Forces. The ceremony featured a presentation of the colors by Boy Scout Troop 55, the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Boy Scouts and Brownie Troop 51156, patriotic songs by the Langley Madrigals, and remarks by retired Army Command Sergeant Major Howard E. “Howie” Urban. Video of the ceremony can be seen below or by clicking here.

How the Freedom Memorial in Great Falls, Virginia came to be

Community, volunteers, public service, duty, honor, country. Built and funded by the community through in-kind and monetary donations. Dedicated November 13, 2004.

Fact sheet prepared by the late Milburn Sanders, the first Secretary of the Friends of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial and founder of the Great Falls Historical Society:

Fact sheet regarding the Great Falls Freedom Memorial, by Great Falls historian Milburn Sanders
Fact sheet regarding the Great Falls Freedom Memorial, by Great Falls historian Milburn Sanders

Video about the creation of the Freedom Memorial, produced by Nancy Wilson:

To see remarks in the Congressional Record by Congressman Frank Wolf in recognition of the dedication of the Great Falls Freedom Memorial, click here.

Pictures from the dedication of the Freedom Memorial on November 13, 2004, are available here.

To see the contemporaneous press release from Fairfax County about the dedication ceremony for the Freedom Memorial, click here.