Photo: Front of Right Column

Photographer: Anna Inbody
Taken: November 20, 2011
Caption: Front of Right Column
Additional Description: Throughout this nation’s proud history, Americans have selflessly responded in moments of need and crisis. Too many times valiant countrymen have given their lives in the name of safety and security, necessary for freedom.

From 1942 forward the confidence of the courageous has been tempered by the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt just after Pearl Harbor: “The American People, in their Righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.”

On 9-11, 2001, terrorists flew highjacked commercial airliners into New York’s Twin Towers, then into The Pentagon in the nation’s capital. A fourth plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field after passengers thwarted highjackers’ plan. Bearing American citizenship was the only offense committed by almost 3000 people.

Because Americans will never forget where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news, every American has a 9 11 story of their own. As thousands were fleeing the burning, collapsing buildings, a brave cadre fought its way into the heart of the abyss. 343 fire fighters, 37 Port Authority Police Officers and 23 NYC Police Officers & one K-9 gave their lives that day while pursuing the safe rescue of their fellow citizens. Just doing their jobs, these men and women sacrificed their lives - with honor and courage. Our nation’s military has since avenged our losses and struck fear into the hearts of our enemies by fighting battles with those that would like to destroy our strong nation in battles all over the world, protecting our nation and keeping her citizens safe.

Since 9 - 11, a grateful nation has referred to any and all of these highly - trained professionals by a single accolade: First Responders. They include firefighters, EMS, our military and law enforcement personnel. What they share is an uncommon adherence to training and discipline as tools for combating crisis. What they bring to crisis is an uncommon regard for humanity. Also, lets us not forget the non-uniformed citizen who joined hands with our First Responders and gave their all.

Carved here in stone, so that we will never forget the price they paid on our behalf, are the names of South Carolina Midlands heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. This memorial is dedicated to the memory of those men and women, American Heroes.

“We Will Never Forget”
Submitted: December 10, 2011, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina.
Database Locator Identification Number: p183960
File Size: 0.672 Megabytes

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