Emergency responders from across Summers County gathered on Saturday, September 11 to put on a parade of lights. Silently, fire trucks, ambulances and police cruisers made their way through Hinton’s streets with lights flashing in remembrance of the lives lost 20 years ago during the terrifying 9/11 attacks.
As the procession traveled through town, bystanders stood along the sidewalks to watch. Veterans stood at attention, children looked on in wonder and tears filled many eyes. For all those present who are old enough to remember, the parade of lights served as a reminder, not only of the lives lost but also of the unity that followed. A Nation coming together to grieve and heal.
Prior to the parade, those attending were encouraged to wear red, white and blue, bring flags to wave and generally show their patriotism in whatever way they could.
The parade began at the City of Hinton Fire Department where all the vehicles lined up. With local law enforcement leading the way, the emergency services vehicles traveled into the downtown area where they made a circuitous route, eventually ending up back at Hinton Fire Station.
On that fateful day, 20 years ago that will forever live in infamy, 2,996 individuals lost their lives. Out of that enormous number, 343 of those people were FDNY firefighters.
Never forget.
