Christian County’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony is now around seven months away, and specific plans are beginning to come together.  Speakers and musical performances have been arranged, while other positions are still to be filled.  The goal for organizers is to remember the unsung heroes in the minutes, hours, and even days after the tragedy.  September 11 of this year will mark a quarter-century since the attacks.  In addition, it comes in the United States’ 250th year of independence. 

Ted Chapman is again taking the lead in organizing the ceremony.  He has also organized funerals for first responders and plans to incorporate certain elements of these funerals in the remembrance ceremony. 

Retired New York Police Sergeant Andrew Nelson joined Chapman to share his experiences.  Sergeant Nelson held that role on 9/11 and was on the ground that day.  He had never seen anything like the scenes in New York City after the towers were hit.

He adds that the memories of the day build up in his mind each year as September 11 approaches.

While Sergeant Nelson finds these ceremonies difficult to be a part of, he says he feels an obligation to remind others of the stories of the first responders who died.

Sergeant Nelson points to current global affairs and the U.S.’s role in them as reasons among many others to continue to remember what happened on 9/11.

More information on the 9/11 remembrance ceremony is available by calling Chapman at (217) 827-4155 or the Taylorville Fire Department at (217) 824-2295.

Ted Chapman and Retired NYPD Sergeant Andrew Nelson appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.