The City of Houston pauses to remember 9/11 victims and survivorson Anniversary of 9-11

HOUSTON - The city of Houston paused today to remember the victims and survivors of 9/11. Mayor Sylvester Turner joined Houston City Council members, representatives of the Houston police and fire departments and members of the military to commemorate 9/11 at the Houston Never Forgets ceremony at City Hall.

“None of us will ever forget what happened on that fateful day when the lives of more than 3,000 of our fellow United States citizens — and other nations — were taken in one of the most egregious acts ever committed against our nation,'' Mayor Turner said.

Led by the Mayor's Offices of Veteran's Affairs and Special Events, the program included a presentation of colors by the Booker T. Washington High School Air Force JROTC; singing of the National Anthem by Tiffany S. Nealand, Sergeant First Class, US ARMY; the Pledge of Allegiance by J.P. Lane, US Army Combat Engineer; and the invocation by Chaplain Major Vincent Cepeda, 75th Innovation Command.

You may view photos of the remembrance service here.

The following is Mayor Sylvester Turner's statement on the anniversary of 9/11.

“To all of those who have sacrificed their tomorrows, committing to the ultimate sacrifice, we owe them. We owe them a vow to never forget the sacrifices. We owe them the promise that we shall tell future generations of the price they paid for freedom. Our children must never forget that freedom is bought with the lives and blood of patriots.

“On that day, many first responders – committed to saving those in harm’s way – also lost their lives inside the World Trade Center. Many more were claimed at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania, and many more would succumb years later as a direct result to responding to the search and rescue and then recovery efforts.
“As we remember September 11th, 2001, let us also teach our children the lessons learned – That freedom is not free and yet, freedom shall endure.

“And we shall never forget. May the God who is called by many names bless those who have fallen. And may He continue to bless the United States of America."